Reviewing the thorny issue of the French military presence in Africa was at the heart of recent discussions between the French president’s new personal envoy for Africa, Jean-Marie Bockel, and the Ivorian authorities. The latter, newly appointed, undertook a visit to Ivory Coast to closely examine the situation and possible developments to be made at the French military base in Port-Bouët.
During his stay, Jean-Marie Bockel was able to meet various local actors, from political leaders to the military and representatives of civil society. During his discussions with Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara and members of the government, there was discussion of rethinking the role and current configuration of the French military base.
In a renewed partnership approach, the personal envoy underlined the desire to maintain France’s commitment while adapting its presence to the specific needs of the region. He raised the possibility of redefining certain aspects of this presence, while strengthening cooperation in training and intelligence with the Ivorian armed forces.
These discussions reflect a common desire to modernize and optimize security cooperation between France and Côte d’Ivoire, in a constantly evolving regional context. It appears that stakeholders are seeking to find a balance between the need to preserve stability in the region and the necessary adaptation of military arrangements to the realities on the ground.
Ultimately, this visit by Jean-Marie Bockel to Côte d’Ivoire marks the start of in-depth reflection on the future of the French presence in Africa, with a view to renewed partnership and increased effectiveness in the fight against contemporary security challenges.