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Ivory Coast asks French forces to leave

It has become the latest West African nation to downscale military ties with former colonial power France.

La rédaction de Mediapart

This article is freely available.

Ivory Coast has announced that French troops will withdraw from the country, ending a military presence that has lasted for decades, reports Deutsche Welle.

It is part of a larger trend of African countries pushing France to reduce its military presence in Africa. 

Speaking in an end-of-year address, President Alassane Ouattara announced that the withdrawal would start in January.

"We have decided on the concerted and organized withdrawal of French forces in Ivory Coast," Ouattara said.

Read more of this report from Deutsche Welle.