France handed over the Port-Bouët military base to Côte d’Ivoire On Thursday.
It marked the end of its occupation since 1978, in a ceremony attended by the defence ministers of both countries, who will continue their military cooperation.
Ministers of Defence Sébastien Lecornu and Tene Birahima Ouattara signed a document formalising the transfer of the 43rd Marine Infantry Battalion (43e BIMa), a strategic base located near Abidjan airport.
“This act marks a new stage in the friendship and strategic cooperation between our two nations,” Mr Ouattara stated.
“France is transforming its presence but not disappearing,” Mr Lecornu remarked, hailing a “historic” moment.
At the start of the ceremony, both national flags were lowered, and Côte d’Ivoire’s orange, white, and green flag was hoisted.
The entrance to the base is now adorned with a gate named after General Paul Thomas d’Aquin Ouattara, the first Chief of Staff of the Ivorian army. A plaque bearing his likeness was also unveiled at the command post.
During the ceremony, a guard change took place, transferring the security responsibility of the base to the Ivorian army.
This handover, announced by Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara on 31 December, concludes a process initiated two years ago and aligns with France’s intention to reorganise its military presence in Africa.
Amid coups by hostile juntas in the Sahel, the French army, engaged in anti-jihadist operations, had to withdraw from several countries.
However, in Côte d’Ivoire, which has maintained strong ties with France since its independence in 1960 despite a decade of crisis in the 2000s, military cooperation will continue.
The withdrawal of French soldiers will be gradual, taking place throughout 2025, with around a hundred remaining to undertake training and support missions.
