Ivory Coast has announced that French troops will withdraw from the West African country, further weakening the former colonial power’s military influence in the region.

In his year-end speech, Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara said the move reflected the modernization of the country’s armed forces.

Separately, Senegal announced last month that France must close military bases within its territory and confirmed that the withdrawal will be completed by the end of 2025.

Côte d’Ivoire is home to the largest remaining French military force in West Africa.

There are approximately 600 French troops in the country, 350 of whom are in Senegal.

France ended its colonial rule in West Africa in the 1960s and has withdrawn its soldiers from Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger following military coups and rising anti-French sentiment.

The government of Chad, a key Western ally in the fight against Islamist militants in the region, abruptly terminated a defense cooperation agreement with France in November.

Senegalese President Basilou Dioumaye Faye said: “I have instructed the Minister of the Armed Forces to propose a new principle of defense and security cooperation, which includes the cessation of all foreign military presence in Senegal from 2025.”

Faye was elected in March on a promise to deliver sovereignty and end dependence on foreign countries.

France will maintain a small presence in Gabon.

For more than three decades since its independence from France, Côte d’Ivoire (also known as Côte d’Ivoire) has become known for its religious and ethnic harmony as well as its developed economy.

The West African country is hailed as a model of stability. But an armed rebellion in 2002 split the country in two. Peace deals have alternated with renewed violence as the country slowly moves toward a political solution to the conflict.

Despite the instability, Côte d’Ivoire remains the world’s largest exporter of cocoa beans and its citizens enjoy relatively high income levels compared to other countries in the region.