Storyline: France handed over its last two military facilities in Senegal to local authorities on Thursday, marking the end of its permanent military presence in the West African country. Camp Geille, the largest French military installation in Senegal, located in the capital Dakar, and the French air detachment at Dakar's international airport were officially transferred to the Senegalese state at a ceremony attended by Mbaye Cisse, chief of General Staff of the Senegalese Armed Forces, and Pascal Ianni, commander of French forces in Africa. French troops have been present in Senegal since the country gained independence in 1960. On December 31, 2024, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye urged French forces to leave the country when delivering his New Year's address. "This ceremony marks the end of the permanent French military presence in Senegal. This presence dates back more than two centuries," said Ianni at the ceremony. France's forces in the country primarily focused on military training and regional cooperation, according to the French general. "Our mission was to train the Senegalese armed forces and others in the region. This partnership went beyond the barracks, it extended into local communities," said Ianni. "We respect the decision of Senegal's authorities to no longer host a permanent foreign force. This marks a shift, not an erasure, of our shared security history," he said. The decision of Senegal is a move toward redefining sovereignty and defense cooperation, according to the top Senegalese military official. "Our armies have embraced a new format, one that aligns with Senegal's vision for modern, sovereign defense partnerships. France's support in training and logistics helped develop our armed forces. That cooperation is recognized and appreciated," said Cisse in his public speech at the event. There are around 350 French soldiers primarily tasked with conducting joint operations with the Senegalese army. They will leave the west African nation after a three-month departure process. In recent years, several African nations, including Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, and Côte d'Ivoire, have called for the withdrawal of French troops and the handover of their military bases. Shotlist: Dakar, Bargny, Senegal - July 17, 2025: 1. Various of military facility handover ceremony, military officials, soldiers 2. SOUNDBITE (French, dubbed in English) Pascal Ianni, Commander of French Forces in Africa: "This ceremony marks the end of the permanent French military presence in Senegal. This presence dates back more than two centuries." 3. Various of ceremony in process, soldiers 4. SOUNDBITE (French, dubbed in English) Pascal Ianni, Commander of French Forces in Africa: "Our mission was to train the Senegalese armed forces and others in the region. This partnership went beyond the barracks, it extended into local communities." 5. National flag of Senegal rising 6. SOUNDBITE (French, dubbed in English) Pascal Ianni, Commander of French Forces in Africa: "We respect the decision of Senegal's authorities to no longer host a permanent foreign force. This marks a shift, not an erasure, of our shared security history." 7. Various of ceremony in process, soldiers 8. SOUNDBITE (French, dubbed in English) Mbaye Cisse, Chief of Staff, Senegalese Armed Forces: "Our armies have embraced a new format, one that aligns with Senegal's vision for modern, sovereign defense partnerships. France's support in training and logistics helped develop our armed forces. That cooperation is recognized and appreciated." 9. Various of ceremony in process, soldiers 10. Various of military facility, soldiers patrolling FILE: Africa - Exact Location and Date Unknown: 11. National flags of Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, members of Alliance of Sahel States 12. Military officials of Alliance of Sahel States posing for group photo 13. Various of residents cheering. [Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland]