In a major shift in West Africa’s security landscape, two regional economic powerhouses, Ivory Coast and Senegal, have ordered the removal of French troops from their territories.

The withdrawals mark the end of a decades-long military presence by France in Senegal and Ivory Coast. The move has been attributed to a desire by African nations to diversify their international relations and form new partnerships.

According to Ivorian political scientist Geoffroy Julien Kouao, this shift in approach is part of a broader strategy to establish relationships with countries in the global south, including China, Turkey, Brazil, the Arab monarchies of the Gulf, and Russia.

Kouao explained, “I think that African politicians want to diversify their relations, especially with the countries of the global south, such as China, Turkey, Brazil, the Arab monarchies of the Gulf, but also with Russia.”

Ivory Coast and Senegal’s decision to remove French troops mirrors similar actions taken by Sahel countries engaged in a war against jihadi groups with ties to Islamic State and al-Qaida. Despite nearly a decade of French military intervention, the Sahel region has continued to experience escalating levels of terrorist violence. As a result, the former colonial power has begun to withdraw its troops from the region.