France’s Handover of the Port-Bouët Military Base to Ivory Coast: Strategic Reconfiguration and Regional Implications

Introduction

The formal transfer of France’s Port-Bouët military base to Ivory Coast on February 20, 2025, represents a pivotal moment in the redefinition of Franco-African relations.

This event, marked by a ceremonial flag-raising and joint declarations of continued partnership, underscores Ivory Coast’s assertion of sovereignty amid a broader regional trend of former French colonies recalibrating their military and diplomatic ties with Paris.

This article examines the historical context, immediate drivers, and long-term implications of this strategic shift, situating it within the evolving geopolitical landscape of West Africa.

Historical Context of French Military Presence in Ivory Coast

Colonial Legacy and Post-Independence Security Arrangements

France’s military footprint in Ivory Coast dates to the country’s independence in 1960, when a defense agreement permitted the establishment of bases to safeguard French economic interests and support regional stability.

The Port-Bouët camp, established in 1978, became a linchpin of French operations in West Africa, particularly during periods of domestic unrest.

For instance, during the 2002–2011 civil conflicts, France’s Licorne force intervened to protect civilians and mediate ceasefires, embedding the base as a symbol of Franco-Ivorian security interdependence.

The Licorne Era and Counterinsurgency Partnerships

From 2002 to 2015, the Licorne mission evolved into a stabilization force, collaborating with UN peacekeepers to disarm militias and oversee elections.

However, controversies, such as the 2011 airstrikes on Laurent Gbagbo’s residence, fueled domestic criticism of France’s perceived overreach.

Despite this, the base remained operational, housing approximately 1,000 French troops engaged in counterterrorism operations against Sahelian jihadist groups.

The 2025 Handover: Ceremony and Strategic Messaging

Symbolic Sovereignty and Continuity of Cooperation

The transfer ceremony, attended by French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu and Ivorian counterpart Tene Birahima Ouattara, emphasized “friendship and strategic collaboration” rather than rupture.

The renaming of the base to “Camp Thomas d’Aquin Ouattara” honored the Ivorian army’s first chief of staff, reflecting a deliberate narrative of national ownership.

Lecornu’s assertion that France’s presence is “changing, not disappearing” signaled a shift toward less visible, training-focused engagements, with ~100 French troops remaining for technical support.

Domestic and Regional Political Calculus

President Alassane Ouattara’s December 2024 announcement of the handover aligned with his government’s emphasis on “modernizing” the Ivorian military ahead of the October 2025 elections.

By preemptively addressing sovereigntist sentiments sweeping the Sahel—evident in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger’s expulsions of French forces—Ouattara sought to balance nationalist rhetoric with sustained Franco-Ivorian cooperation.

FAF notes that the move avoids the abrupt ruptures seen in neighboring states, preserving Ivory Coast’s status as France’s “last reliable partner” in West Africa.

Regional Trends: The Unraveling of Françafrique

The Sahelian Rejection of French Military Hegemony

Since 2022, France has withdrawn from Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, and Senegal, marking the collapse of its counterterrorism strategy under Operation Barkhane.

These exits, driven by anti-colonial rhetoric and accusations of ineffectiveness, reflect a broader rejection of “paternalistic” security partnerships.

For instance, Mali’s pivot to Russian Wagner Group contractors and Niger’s alignment with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) exemplify the region’s diversification of security alliances.

Ivory Coast’s Anomalous Position

In contrast to its neighbors, Ivory Coast has avoided outright anti-French populism.

The phased withdrawal from Port-Bouët, negotiated bilaterally since 2023, allows France to maintain intelligence-sharing and counterterrorism training—a model resembling Belgium’s low-profile security engagements in Africa.

This pragmatic approach safeguards French interests in the Gulf of Guinea, where jihadist spillover from the Sahel remains a critical concern.

Strategic Implications for France and Ivory Coast

France’s “Less Visible” Military Doctrine

The Port-Bouët handover aligns with France’s 2023 strategic pivot toward “academy-style” bases and joint operations, as outlined in Jean-Marie Bockel’s report to President Macron.

By reducing permanent troop deployments and emphasizing technical training, France aims to mitigate political backlash while retaining influence.

The newly established Command for Africa (CPA), operational since 2024, centralizes decision-making in Paris, enabling rapid deployments without the baggage of colonial-era bases.

Ivory Coast’s Security Challenges and Electoral Dynamics

With French forces transitioning to advisory roles, the Ivorian military faces heightened responsibility in securing northern borders against jihadist incursions.

Joint exercises, such as the January 2025 paratrooper drills at Port-Bouët, aim to bolster operational readiness.

However, critics question whether the under-resourced Ivorian army can fill the vacuum, particularly if regional instability worsens.

Domestically, Ouattara’s emphasis on a “transparent” 2025 election seeks to leverage the handover as proof of institutional maturity, though his potential bid for a fourth term risks reigniting tensions.

The Future of Franco-Ivorian Relations

Economic Ties and Multilateral Engagements

Beyond defense, France remains Ivory Coast’s top trading partner and foreign investor, particularly in cocoa, infrastructure, and energy.

The Abidjan-based French Development Agency (AFD) has pledged €400 million for climate resilience projects, aligning with Macron’s 2023 pledge to prioritize “civilian partnerships” in Africa.

Such investments, coupled with Ivory Coast’s participation in EU trade frameworks, suggest economic ties will buffer military downsizing.

Regional Leadership and Diplomatic Balancing

As ECOWAS grapples with the AES’s secession, Ivory Coast has positioned itself as a mediator, advocating for dialogue while condemning military coups.

This role enhances its value to France as a stabilizing force, contrasting with the isolation of Mali and Niger.

However, Ouattara’s alignment with Paris risks alienating sovereigntist factions, particularly if economic grievances resurge.

Conclusion: A Paradigm Shift in African Security Partnerships

France’s withdrawal from Port-Bouët encapsulates the twilight of “Françafrique”—the post-colonial system of military and economic dominance—and the rise of African agency in defining security architectures.

For Ivory Coast, the handover symbolizes hard-won sovereignty but also imposes complex burdens: securing its territory without overreliance on foreign troops, and navigating a multipolar world where Russia, China, and Turkey vie for influence.

The success of this transition hinges on Ivory Coast’s ability to convert French technical assistance into autonomous capabilities, and on France’s willingness to embrace equitable partnerships.

As Lecornu noted, the “world is changing”—and in this new era, mutual respect, not paternalism, will determine the durability of Franco-African ties