On Thursday, May 15, 2025, France officially handed over the “Contre-Amiral Protet” military compound, located at the Port of Dakar, to Senegalese authorities. The transfer marks a significant step in the gradual withdrawal of French forces from Senegal, in line with the timeline set by the joint Franco-Senegalese commission.
The announcement was made via a statement from the French embassy in Dakar. It follows the February 28 meeting of the joint commission, co-chaired by General Abdou Latif Kamara, French ambassador Christine Fages, and General Yves Aunis, commander of the French Elements in Senegal (EFS).
This handover comes after the return of the Maréchal and Saint-Exupéry compounds on March 7, located near Hann Park and the port, respectively. According to official projections, the final three remaining French military sites in Senegal are expected to be transferred back to Senegalese control by the end of September 2025.
Situated in a strategic location within the Port of Dakar, the Contre-Amiral Protet site has long been a symbol of France’s military presence in the region. The phased withdrawal aligns with the vision of Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who, in November 2024, declared his intention to transform Senegal into a fully “sovereign republic,” announcing the impending end of France’s military footprint in the country.