France Revamps Africa Strategy with Dedicated Command

French President Emmanuel Macron’s government is overhauling its military presence in Africa, establishing a dedicated African Command and significantly reducing troop deployments across the continent.

Brigadier General Pascal Ianni was appointed the first commander of the new African Command, according to a government decree published on Thursday. He will take charge on August 1st.

This move comes alongside a major downsizing of French forces in Africa. Sources close to the government revealed plans to reduce troop presence in West and Central Africa to a few hundred soldiers. This represents a sharp decline from previous deployments, with troop numbers in Gabon and Senegal expected to fall from 350 to around 100 each. Similarly, forces in Cote d’Ivoire are set to be reduced from 600 to 100, while Chad will see a decrease from 1,000 to 300 troops.

The restructuring follows a period of strained relations between France and some African nations. In 2022, France was forced to withdraw its military from Mali, which had been a key base for counter-terrorism operations in the Sahel region under Operation Barkhane. President Macron himself announced the mission’s end later that year. Additionally, French troops departed Niger at the close of 2022 after the country’s coup leaders severed ties with Paris. Burkina Faso followed suit in March 2023, denouncing a decades-old military assistance treaty with France and demanding the withdrawal of French forces within a month.

The creation of the African Command suggests a potential shift in French military strategy on the continent. While the specific focus of the new command remains to be seen, it could signal a more centralized approach to future deployments and partnerships in Africa.