Ankara: France formally began its military withdrawal from Senegal on Friday, handing over two key facilities to the West African nation as part of a broader shift in its regional strategy.

According to Anadolu Agency, the French side transferred the facilities and housing in the Mar©chal and Saint-Exup©ry districts to the Senegalese side. These areas, located near Hann Park, were prepared for return since the summer of 2024, as confirmed by the French Embassy in Senegal.

The withdrawal aligns with Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye's initiative to remove foreign forces from the country, part of a larger regional movement resisting France's military presence in West Africa. This trend has seen France's influence wane, with its forces also departing from Burkina Faso, Niger, and Chad in recent years amid rising local opposition.

To facilitate the transition, a joint commission was established last month, which oversaw the dismissal of 162 Senegalese personnel employed at the French bases in Dakar. However, the French Embassy has not disclosed the current number of French troops still stationed in Senegal.

France's strategic pivot involves significantly reducing its military presence in Africa, with intentions to maintain Djibouti as its sole permanent base on the continent. Paris has indicated its willingness to provide defense training or targeted military support upon request from individual nations.