Ivory Coast announced on Tuesday that French troops will leave the country after a decadeslong military presence, the latest African nation to downscale military ties with its former colonial power.

It is part of a larger trend of African countries pushing France to reduce its military presence in Africa. France has been forced to pull out of a number of West African nations-- including from Mali,

Ivory Coast has announced that French troops will withdraw from the West African nation, further reducing the military influence of the former colonial power in the region. In an end-of-year address, Ivory Coast's President, Alassane Ouattara, said the move was a reflection of the modernisation of the country's armed forces.

French soldiers have been asked to leave Chad by 31 January, sources close to the government in Paris say – a deadline that RFI was able to confirm with Chadian authorities.

Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara announced the withdrawal of French forces from the nation, marking a step towards military independence. This move continues France's military reduction in West Africa,