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.

In a moment heavy with history and symbolism, France has officially ended its decades-long military presence in Senegal, closing

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.