France handed over the facilities and housing of the Maréchal and Saint-Exupéry quarters to Senegal on Friday, March 7, APA has learned from an official source.
It marks a first step in the process of returning French military enclaves in the country, in accordance with bilateral commitments.
“In accordance with the decision of the Joint Commission of February 28, 2025” and the military cooperation treaty signed between Paris and Dakar in 2012, the French side proceeded with the restitution of the enclaves and equipment of the Maréchal and Saint-Exupéry quarters, according to a statement from the French Embassy in Dakar.
These facilities, located near Hann Park and not far from the port of Dakar, “were ready to be returned since the summer of 2024”.
The gradual withdrawal of the French Elements in Senegal (EFS) will continue “according to the jointly agreed schedule”, the text states.
According to it, the departure of the five French military from Senegal should be completed by the end of September 2025.
The decision over restitution was formalised during a meeting of the Franco-Senegalese Joint Commission, held on February 28 under the chairmanship of General Abdou Latif Kamara, director of the Senegal Defense Institute, in the presence of the French ambassador, Ms. Christine Fages, and the commander of the EFS, General Yves Aunis.
In addition to reviewing the restitution schedule, the commission has launched a bid to reinvigorate the bilateral defense and security partnership and should meet regularly in the coming months.
This development is in line with the declarations of Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who stated in November 2024 that “there will soon be no more French soldiers in Senegal”, reaffirming his commitment to making his country a truly “sovereign” republic.
ODL/te/sf/lb/as/APA