France Plans to Reduce Military Presence in Africa

France plans to reduce its military presence in West and Central Africa by withdrawing around 600 troops, as part of President Emmanuel Macron's strategy to limit the French military footprint in the region. The reduction will affect countries like Gabon, Senegal, Ivory Coast, and Chad. This move follows increased anti-French sentiment in some former colonies and the growing influence of countries like Russia in the region. The French General Staff has not issued an official statement yet, and the reduced presence may be subject to periodic expansion based on local partners' needs. Previously, France had significant troop deployments in the Sahel region, but recent political changes in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have led to a shift in alliances, with these countries now engaging in security agreements with Russia, impacting French military operations in the area.