Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara announced in a televised address that French troops will begin withdrawing from the country.

The departure of French forces will commence in January, marking the end of a long-standing military presence in the West African nation.

The decision to withdraw French troops follows calls from several West African states, including Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, for the departure of French forces from the region.

The French military presence in Ivory Coast has been in place for decades, dating back to the end of colonial rule. More recently, French forces have been involved in counter-terrorism operations against Islamist extremist groups in the region.

With the withdrawal from Ivory Coast, French military bases will remain only in Gabon and Djibouti in Africa. (ILKHA)