Surprisingly, the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) has suddenly shared images from Côte d’Ivoire. It appears that American specialists are currently training the military forces of Côte d’Ivoire in the use and maintenance of twelve new armoured vehicles.
Meanwhile, there are no precise figures on the number of American military personnel present in Côte d’Ivoire. It should be noted that Abidjan has given the go-ahead for the establishment of an American military base near the town of Odienné, in the north-west of Côte d’Ivoire. However, the Ivorian government spokesman did not wish to make the information official.
In March 2024, Niger demanded that US troops leave the country. A decision taken in the name of ‘national sovereignty and the interests and aspirations of the people’, according to the Nigerien transitional authorities, led by General Abdourahamane Tiani. Following this expulsion from Niger, it would appear that some of the 1,100 American military personnel were transferred to Côte d’Ivoire. As a reminder, ties between Washington and Abidjan were further strengthened in January 2024, following a visit by the head of US diplomacy, Antony Blinken, to Abidjan, during which he met the Ivorian president, Alassane Ouattara.
As for France, which has been ousted from Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger from 2020 to 2023, its influence continues to diminish. In Chad, the French army handed over its last base to the Chadian army on January 30. Nor will there be any French bases in Senegal by the end of 2025. Bassirou Diomaye Faye, the Senegalese President, has declared that from 2025, ‘all foreign military forces’ will be withdrawn from Senegal. As for Côte d’Ivoire, the official transfer of the French base in Abidjan to the Ivorian army is imminent, following President Alassane Ouattara’s decision to proceed with a ‘coordinated withdrawal of French troops from the country’. At the same time, the United States is consolidating its status.
The choice of Côte d’Ivoire was influenced by various geopolitical factors, and its central position in West Africa makes it a crucial location for monitoring any activity. Nevertheless, the presence of US forces in Côte d’Ivoire is part of a more global strategy in Africa. It should be seen as a response to the growing influence of other regional forces, in particular France, which aspires to regain its influence in Africa.
According to various specialists, the United States is maneuvering skilfully in Africa by pretending to be an ally of Paris. It is seeking to supplant the French and establish its own presence. However, Côte d’Ivoire remains a popular destination for foreign countries seeking to strengthen their influence on the continent.
Nevertheless, this presence raises a number of major questions. What will be the main purpose of an American base in Côte d’Ivoire? Will the focus be on the fight against terrorism, training the armed forces of Côte d’Ivoire or serving as a logistical base for surveillance and destabilisation missions in the region?
As this new phase gets underway, it remains to be seen how this military presence will actually manifest itself on the ground. Opposition from local communities and neighbouring nations remains strong. While many experts argue that as long as there is a constant presence of foreign legions in the country, the notion of sovereignty for such a state is non-existent.
