Coups d’etat in French-speaking Africa follow one another and with them, the French military presence is called into question. After Niger at the end of July, Gabon was shaken by a military putsch at the end of August. Two countries where France has soldiers: 1,500 in Niger and 350 in Gabon.
In Niamey, the Prime Minister appointed by the military regime affirmed, Monday, September 4 that “exchanges” were “in progress” so that the French forces based in the country withdraw “quickly”, while hoping “to maintain cooperation” with France. Information confirmed by the French Ministry of the Armed Forces on Tuesday morning. In addition to Gabon and Niger, 400 French soldiers are also present in Senegal, 900 in Côte d’Ivoire, 1,000 in Chad and 1,500 in Djibouti.
3766 cover africa map military presence
© / Cartography legends
In each of these countries, the missions of the French workforce are very different. In Libreville, they provide regional cooperation and business protection missions. In Niger, the activities of the army have been somewhat suspended since the coup. Originally, the French army had settled there in agreement with the former government to contribute to the fight against jihadism in the Sahel.
An “operational center for cooperation with a regional vocation”
In Dakar and Abidjan, the French Elements constitute an “operational pole of cooperation with a regional vocation” which in particular ensures the training of soldiers from the countries of the region. Djibouti has the largest French military contingent outside of France. The 1,500 men from the army, air force and navy are the essential relay for force projections to the Indo-Pacific. It is also a training ground for special forces. In addition, the French Navy participates in the fight against piracy in the Red Sea and around the Horn of Africa.
While in Chad, it is the oldest French deployment on the continent still active. In the country, the French system has gone from Operation Sparrowhawk launched in 1986 to Operation Barkhane in 2014 aimed at stabilizing the Sahel. The main base of the French army is in N’Djamena, the capital.