https://en.sputniknews.africa/20250113/france-to-drastically-reduce-its-troops-in-several-african-countries-says-presidential-envoy-1070164235.html
France to Drastically Reduce Its Troops in Several African Countries, Says Presidential Envoy
France to Drastically Reduce Its Troops in Several African Countries, Says Presidential Envoy
Sputnik Africa
Last Saturday, French troops withdrew from the Abeche military base in eastern Chad. The official handover ceremony took place with the presence of Chadian... 13.01.2025, Sputnik Africa
2025-01-13T16:57+0100
2025-01-13T16:57+0100
2025-01-13T17:46+0100
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France intends to sharply reduce the number of its contingents in a number of African countries, said the French President's Personal Envoy for Africa, Jean-Marie Bockel.He also noted that the goal was to "move towards a sharp reduction in personnel" before withdrawing the contingent.According to Bockel, Paris intends to focus its efforts in the near future on training personnel at 22 educational institutions in countries across the continent. Additionally, as part of ongoing cooperation with Africa, the French president's envoy discussed the training of African military personnel by French or European partners.The parties also had detailed discussions on cooperation in the field of intelligence and on the supply of equipment for the local air force, navy, and ground troops "in accordance with stated needs," noted the envoy.Aside from that, Bockel stated that the leadership of several African countries "did not need to expel" the troops.Over the past years, France has withdrawn all its troops from Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. In November 2024, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye said France would have to close its military bases in the African country. In late December 2024, the French military base in Faya-Largeau, Chad, was handed over to the Chadian army as part of the withdrawal of France's military contingent from the African country.
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France to Drastically Reduce Its Troops in Several African Countries, Says Presidential Envoy
16:57 13.01.2025 (Updated: 17:46 13.01.2025) Christina Glazkova
Writer / Editor
Last Saturday, French troops withdrew from the Abeche military base in eastern Chad. The official handover ceremony took place with the presence of Chadian Defense Minister Issakha Maloua Djamous, along with various military and civilian officials.
France intends to sharply
reduce the number of its contingents in a number of African countries, said the French President's Personal Envoy for Africa, Jean-Marie Bockel.
"The idea was to have fewer troops on the ground [...], I cannot provide numbers as they need to be agreed upon with the heads of the respective states," he said in an interview with Jeune Afrique magazine, responding to a journalist's request to disclose the outcomes of his visits to Gabon, Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire, and Chad.
He also noted that the goal was to "move towards a sharp reduction in personnel" before withdrawing the contingent.
According to Bockel, Paris intends to focus its efforts in the near future on
training personnel at 22 educational institutions in countries across the continent. Additionally, as part of ongoing cooperation with Africa, the
French president's envoy discussed the training of African military personnel by French or European partners.
The parties also had detailed discussions on cooperation in the field of intelligence and on the supply of equipment for the local air force, navy, and ground troops "in accordance with stated needs," noted the envoy.
Aside from that, Bockel stated that the leadership of several African countries "did not need to expel" the troops.
"If some countries want us to leave, it's enough to say so for the withdrawal to be organized under good conditions," he added.
Over the past years, France has withdrawn all its troops from Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. In November 2024, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye
Faye said France would have to close its military bases in the African country. In late December 2024, the French military base in Faya-Largeau, Chad, was handed over to the Chadian army as part of the withdrawal of France's military contingent from the African country.
