Ivory Coast has announced that French troops will withdraw from the West African nation, further reducing the military influence of the former colonial power in the region. In an end-of-year address, Ivory Coast's President, Alassane Ouattara, said the move was a reflection of the modernisation of the country's armed forces.

Ivory Coast’s president announced the withdrawal of French troops from the country, joining a growing number of francophone states that have asked the former colonial power to relinquish its military presence in West Africa.

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.

Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara's announcement is a further sign of former colonial power France's fading military influence in West Africa. View on euronews

Ivory Coast is the latest West African nation to expel troops of former colonial power after Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.