France announced on Thursday that it would retain 80 military personnel in Ivory Coast for training purposes, despite the broader reduction of its military presence in the region.
According to a recent statement by French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu, the forces will form the basis of a joint detachment, adapting to the evolving needs of Ivory Coast, particularly for ongoing training. This move comes as France gradually scales back its forces in West and Central Africa, a region where Russian influence is on the rise.
Although France has historically supported Ivory Coast since the 2011 presidential crisis, the French military has also faced growing anti-French sentiment following military coups in several African nations. For now, it remains to be seen how this smaller presence will impact France's strategic role in the region.