Ivory Coast announced on Tuesday that French troops would withdraw from the country, ending a decades-long military presence.
This is part of a larger trend by African countries to pressure France to reduce its military presence in Africa.
Speaking in an end-of-the-year address, President Alassane Ouattara announced that the withdrawal would begin in January.
“We have decided on a concerted and organized withdrawal of French forces in Ivory Coast,” Ouattara said.
Another blow to France
France has been forced to pull out of several West African countries, including Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, in the past two years due to military coups and rising anti-French sentiment.
Some countries have since sought closer ties with China and Russia.
Recently, Senegal and Chad asked French troops to leave. Chad has been a key ally of France in the fight against Islamist militants, serving as its last stand in the Sahel region.
French troops are now present only in Djibouti and Gabon.
dvv/lo (Reuters, AP)