Source: France 24 [French state media]
“France on Thursday handed its sole Ivory Coast military base back to its former colony. France has been present in the country for decades, and its departure is in line with a growing trend among African countries to reduce their military ties with France. The French and Ivorian defence ministers signed a document to confirm the return, shortly after the Ivorian flag was raised in the base’s parade ground. Though the handover comes as a spate of France’s former colonies in west Africa weaken ties with their former imperial ruler, both sides stressed that relations remained warm.” (02/20/25)