French troops will begin to withdraw from Ivory Coast in west Africa this month, marking the latest reduction of France’s military presence and a further weakening of western influence in the region.

The troops are expected to leave Ivory Coast this month as France, a former colonial power in West Africa, fast loses influence there.

Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara said on Tuesday that French forces would withdraw from the West African nation, continuing the former colonial power's military exit from the region. Speaking in an end-of-year address to the nation,

Ivory Coast is home to the biggest remaining contingent of French troops in West Africa. There are some 600 French military personnel in the country with 350 in Senegal. France, w

Ivory Coast has become the latest African country to expel France’s military from its nation. 10 Protective Dog Breeds That Will Always Have Your Back I've been on 50 cruises. Here are 5 things I never buy on the ships.

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,