00:00France is officially ending its military presence in Senegal after 65 years.
00:08On Thursday, the French army will hand over its last remaining bases to Senegalese authorities,
00:14marking the final phase of the three-month withdrawal process.
00:19Roughly 350 French troops who were stationed in the West African country
00:25to conduct joint operations with the Senegalese army are set to leave.
00:32The move is part of a broader downsizing of French military presence in Africa,
00:38as more former colonies distance themselves from France's influence.
00:44This withdrawal follows similar pull-outs from countries like Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger in recent years.
00:53With no permanent French bases now left in West or Central Africa,
00:58the handover in Senegal signals the end of an era and highlights shifting dynamics between France and its former colonies.
