France Hands Over Last Military Bases in Senegal

France Hands Over Last Military Bases in Senegal
Above: A handover ceremony at Camp Geille in Dakar, Senegal, on July 17, 2025. Image copyright: Cem Ozdel/Anadolu/Getty Images

The Spin

Establishment-critical narrative

This withdrawal represents France finally respecting African sovereignty after decades of neo-colonial military interference. Senegal, like other Francophone nations in Africa, has awakened to the reality of colonialism and the continuing harms of it on their people, and are reaching out to new partners, like Russia and China, who meet Africans as equals.

Pro-establishment narrative

This is bad news for the West and African nations. While former colonies have legitimate grievances, pushing out the West entirely has left a defense vacuum that is being filled by Russian mercenaries who have been linked to rights abuses. Countries like France must step up their effort to win back the hearts and minds of the people of Africa.


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