• France has withdrawn its last military bases in Senegal, ending a 65-year presence.
• Approximately 350 French soldiers left Senegal amid increasing anti-French sentiment in the region.
• This withdrawal follows demands from Senegal's President for sovereignty and self-sufficiency.
• Despite the exit, Senegal plans to maintain diplomatic and military ties with France.
• France aims to shift its strategy towards flexible partnerships in Africa, focusing on training and support.

On July 17, France officially returned its last military bases in Senegal, signaling the end of its military presence that has endured since the country gained independence in 1960. The transfer of Camp Geille, the largest base in Senegal, was marked by a ceremony in Dakar attended by key military officials, including General Mbaye Cissé of Senegal and General Pascal Ianni of the French forces in Africa. Ianni stated, "Today's transfer of Camp Geille marks a new stage in the evolution of the partnership between our two armed forces," emphasizing this as part of Senegal's desire to no longer host foreign troops, according to Le Monde, AA, and Al Jazeera.

The withdrawal, which involved around 350 French soldiers, began in March and follows several similar actions throughout Africa, as rising tensions and anti-colonial sentiment have led nations to sever long-standing military ties with France. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who won elections promising a radical change, described the foreign military presence as "an anomaly," aligning with the sentiment that sovereignty is incompatible with hosting foreign bases, as reported by TRT Global and Africanews.

Senegal intends to maintain cooperation with France despite the withdrawal. The president has indicated that Senegal anticipates developing its military autonomy and affirms its ongoing partnership with France in areas such as defense training and intelligence sharing. "We wish all our comrades and their families a safe return to France," General Cissé expressed during the handover, according to Reuters and South China Morning Post.

France's military withdrawal is part of a broader trend where the nation has closed or downsized its bases across former colonies. This decline is fueled by recent military coups in several African nations that have forged closer ties with Russia, reflecting a significant shift in geopolitical alliances in the region, as highlighted by Le Monde and Al Jazeera.