Experts say they are following the example of Sahel countries as local leaders and populations want more sovereignty over their security

French troops will soon begin departing Ivory Coast, raising questions about what France's military presence in West Africa will look like, and how Ivory Coast will fill the security void.

Ivory Coast has announced that French troops will withdraw from the West African nation, further reducing the military influence of the former colonial power in the region. In an end-of-year address, Ivory Coast's President, Alassane Ouattara, said the move was a reflection of the modernisation of the country's armed forces.

Ivory Coast’s president announced the withdrawal of French troops from the country, joining a growing number of francophone states that have asked the former colonial power to relinquish its military presence in West Africa.

France has been kicked out of more than 70% of African countries where it had a troop presence since its colonial rule

Senegalese and Chadian leaders say the ousting of French troops from their territories was their sovereign decision, rejecting remarks from French President Emmanuel Macron that suggested otherwise

The Senegalese prime minister and the Chadian foreign minister have condemned claims made by Emmanuel Macron regarding negotiations about the withdrawal of French troops from several African countries,