France shifts African military strategy toward partnerships

France is shifting its military strategy in Africa by prioritizing partnerships and capacity building over permanent presence. Through the TANDEM detachment program, French military personnel will conduct eight weeks of operational training across eight countries, including Mauritania, Senegal, Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Cameroon, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo.

The program includes 26 operational preparation sequences focusing on specialized areas such as drone operations, riverine combat, forest combat, engineering, and countering improvised explosive devices (IEDs). This approach aims to strengthen the capabilities of partner armies through knowledge sharing rather than maintaining long-term bases.

This strategic evolution comes as France faces increased competition for military influence on the continent from actors including Russia, Turkey, the United States, and China. The new model represents an adaptation to a landscape where African states have a wider variety of available security partners.