The French military completed its withdrawal from Senegal on Thursday, the last West African country where it maintained a permanent troop presence, amid waning regional influence in recent years. France has faced opposition from leaders of some of its former colonies in Africa over what they described as a demeaning and heavy-handed approach to the continent.

The French military handed over its last military base and withdrew its troops on Thursday. This marks the end of a departure process that started in March.

France has formally handed back its last two military bases in Senegal, leaving Paris with no permanent army camps in either west or central Africa.