Senegal: The French military withdrawal

By on June 10, 2010
A symbolic ceremony took place at the Bel Air military camp in Dakar on June the 9th. It was about the restitution, back to Senegal, of the French military facilities. The ceremony was collectively organised by Senegal and France, which was represented by the vice- admiral Philippe Combes.

That event marks the French military presence in Senegal by the withdrawal of 900 of the 1200 servicemen stationed in the country. However, France will preserve, in application of the defense and the security White Book, its two other African bases. The French package includes a base on the western facade of Africa, in Gabon, a base on its oriental facade, in Djibouti, as well as an operational pole of cooperation with a regional vocation, with Senegal.
During a visit to Dakar of Minister of Defense Hervé Morin, last February, both countries had agreed upon the closure of the bases, and the Senegalese government had made a wish that the decision would be taken before the 50th independence anniversary, celebrated on April 4th, but in vain…
Being a member of the Economic Community of Western Africa States (ECOWAS), Senegal tries to expand its influence in the region. Following the example of other countries as South Africa, Dakar also wants to sound its voice on the continent and beyond, in particular in perspective of the future extension of the U.N Security Council …

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