Ivory Coast has announced that French troops, who have been in the country for many years, will start withdrawing this month.
In a statement on Wednesday, Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara said the withdrawal will begin soon.
The French Marines Infantry Battalion (BIMA) base in Port-Bouët will be handed over to Ivorian forces in January 2025. The 43rd BIMA base will also be returned to the Ivorian military by early 2025.
At one time, France had around 600 troops in Ivory Coast. Recently, several West African countries have called for the removal of French military personnel.
This decision to reduce military cooperation with France comes amid growing anti-French sentiment in many African countries, especially in the Sahel and West Africa.
Countries like Chad, Niger, and Burkina Faso have already expelled French troops who had been there for decades.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Ivory Coast is telling French troops to go back home. French soldiers have been in Ivory Coast for a long time. The withdrawal will start this month. The Ivorian President wants all French troops out by early 2025. Other African countries also want French troops to leave. People in Africa are not happy with the French military. Countries like Chad, Niger, and Burkina Faso have already sent French troops away. This decision is happening because of growing anti-French feelings in Africa.

Ivory Coast To Begin Withdrawal Of French Troops This Month

Reigning football world champions France have set up a 2022 World Cup final showdown on Sunday with Lionel Messi’s Argentina after beating Morocco 2-0 in their semifinal clash on Wednesday.
Theo Hernandez scored France’s first goal inside five minutes at Al Bayt Stadium and substitute Randal Kolo Muani sealed victory for Les Bleus with a late second.
Morocco, the first African and Arab team ever to reach the last four at a World Cup, fought hard despite losing key players to injury.
Centre-back Nayef Aguerd withdrew at the last minute, fellow defender and captain Romain Saiss left the field after just 21 minutes and the Atlas Lions also lost Bayern Munich left-back Noussair Mazraoui at halftime.
For France, two of their starters in the quarterfinal win over England, Adrien Rabiot and Dayot Upamecano, were missing due to illness.
The Sunday showdown with Argentina at Lusail Stadium will be France’s fourth World Cup final in seven editions.
France will be hoping to become the first team since Brazil 60 years ago to retain the trophy.
Morocco will now face Croatia in Saturday’s third-place play-off.

2022 World Cup: France Defeat Morocco To Set Up Argentina Final

France has through its embassy in Zimbabwe pledged to upgrade the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Great_Zimbabwe_National_Monument">Great Zimbabwe monument</a> in Masvingo and the National Archives of Zimbabwe (NAZ).
The development was announced by Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe after French Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Laurent Chevallier paid him a courtesy call.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Kazembe said:
<blockquote>
_We have had discussions around areas of cooperation. We have a longstanding mutually beneficial relationship with France. Discussions we had are in areas within the purview of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage._
_The ambassador brought good news that they want to assist us with regard to the promotion and upgrading of Great Zimbabwe. They have also extended assistance with National Archives of Zimbabwe where they are willing to assist with training ad and digitalisation._
</blockquote>
Kazembe said the French embassy will upgrade facilities at Great Zimbabwe while digitalising NAZ.
Ambassador Chevallier said his country took pride in collaborating with Zimbabwe adding that France would want to “develop and strengthen our relationship.” He confirmed the pledge:
<blockquote>
_We are committed to help this important historical site._
</blockquote>
The pledge by France to upgrade the Great Zimbabwe monument comes after the US government in 2018 gave US$475 000 to Zimbabwe for the rehabilitation of the site.
Great Zimbabwe is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Zimbabwe and the whole of the SADC region with its stone structures being the largest in sub-Saharan Africa.
The historical site is of paramount significance to Zimbabwe whose name is derived from it – Dzimba- dza- mabwe (House of stones) while the Zimbabwean Bird, which is also on the flag, was discovered at the monument too soon after independence in 1980.
The upgrade coincides with the erection of Mbuya Nehanda’s statue in Harare.
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<li><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/great-zimbabwe-inspired-new-us-embassy-ambassador-nichols/">Great Zimbabwe Inspired New US Embassy – Ambassador Nichols</a></li>
<li><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/us-gives-us475-000-grant-for-great-zimbabwe-rehabilitation/">US Gives US$475 000 Grant For Great Zimbabwe Rehabilitation</a></li>
<li><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/video-trailer-africas-great-civilizations-great-enclosure-great-zimbabwe/">Video: Trailer of Africa’s Great Civilizations – The Great Enclosure of Great Zimbabwe</a></li>
<li><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/mbuya-nehandas-relatives-warn-of-disasters-if-her-statue-is-erected/">Mbuya Nehanda’s Relatives Warn Of Disasters If Her Statue Is Erected</a></li>
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More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>; <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/france-to-upgrade-great-zimbabwe-monument/">The Herald</a>

France Set To Upgrade Great Zimbabwe Monument

Paris St-Germain have been awarded the 2019/20 Ligue 1 title after it was announced the season would not resume because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Qatar-owned club was 12 points clear at the top of the table, with a game in hand, when French football was suspended indefinitely on 13 March.
PSG chairman and CEO Nasser Al-Khelaifi said that the club wished to dedicate the title to all people on the front line in the fight against the novel coronavirus. He added:
<blockquote>We understand, respect and support the decisions taken by the French Government to end the championship. Health, as the government has always said, must be everyone’s priority.
In these difficult times, I hope that this trophy will bring a little happiness and hope to all our supporters, and I am grateful to them for their unwavering support which helps drive Paris St-Germain forward.</blockquote>
PSG have been awarded the title on a points-per-game basis, while Lorient have been crowned Ligue 2 champions on the same principle.
Earlier this week the French government banned all sporting events, including behind closed doors, until September.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52484926" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">BBC Football</a></h4>

PSG Awarded 2019/20 French Ligue 1 Title

French Ligue 1 side Olympique Lyonnais (Lyon) has confirmed the signing of Zimbabwean international striker <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Tino_Kadewere" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Tino Kadewere</a> from Ligue 2 club Le Havre on a reported €15m deal.
Kadewere will, however, be loaned back to Havre until the end of the season. Le Havre confirmed the deal on their Twitter handle Wednesday night.
<blockquote>Le Havre Athletic Club confirms having reached an agreement with @OL for a transfer for Tino Kadewere. However, the current top scorer of Domino’s Ligue 2 will remain at HAC in the form of a loan until the end of the season #MercatoHAC.</blockquote>
The €15 million deal makes Kadewere the most expensive Zimbabwean footballer of all time.
Kadewere is currently the top goalscorer in Ligue 2 with 18 goals in 20 matches.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.hmetro.co.zw/kadewere-joins-lyon/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">H-Metro</a>, <a href="https://www.soccer24.co.zw/2020/01/22/le-havre-lyon-reach-agreement-on-kadewere-transfer/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Soccer24</a></h4>

Kadewere Joins Olympique Lyonnais On A €15 Million Deal

France-based Warriors midfielder, <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2019/09/26/watch-marshall-munetsis-assist-against-psg/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Marshall Munetsi, made his full debut for Stade de Reims in the 2-0 win over Champions Paris Saint-Germain in a Ligue 1</a> encounter on Wednesday night.
Munetsi assisted the first goal when his cross from the right-wing was nodded into the net by Hassane Kamara.
Speaking to H-Metro from his French base on Thursday, Munetsi said he was not nervous after being thrown in the deep end against the star-studded PSG. He said:
<blockquote>It was a great feeling to make my first start as well as 90 minutes. I thank God and the manager for giving me the opportunity to play.
… I wasn’t nervous because I believe in myself and the ability I have and it’s also an opportunity to make a difference in the team.
I think credit goes to all the players and the manager. We had a game plan and it worked out so it’s all about the team and it’s a very happy team with young players and experienced players also.</blockquote>
Munetsi, who joined the French club on a four-year deal in June from South African club, Orlando Pirates, said having Zimbabwean players playing in the top leagues will help the Warriors going forward.
He identified <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Marvelous_Nakamba" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Marvelous Nakamba</a> (Aston Villa), <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Teenage_Hadebe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Teenage Hadebe</a> (Yeni Malatyaspor) and Tino Kadewere (Le Havre) as examples.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.hmetro.co.zw/munetsi-exclusive/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">H-Metro</a></h4>

Marshall Munetsi Speaks On Stade de Reims Full Debut

Warriors and Stade de Reims midfielder, Marshall Munetsi said that he is happy at his French club though he is still adapting and getting used to the place.
The former Orlando Pirates player signed a four-year contract with the French side and hopes to make it into the starting when the new season starts in August. He said:
<blockquote>The environment is okay I’m still getting used to the place, but I am adapting very well.
The goals are simply still the same and it is to keep on working hard and to improve every day to be a better player than l was yesterday.
And to also do my best to make the first 11 for the upcoming season and to win a cup also with the club.
Training has been okay, the team has been very welcoming and l have enjoyed the training sessions so far with my teammates.</blockquote>
Munetsi is happy that he managed to fulfil the dream of playing in Europe. He added:
<blockquote>I have always had a dream to play in Europe, and France was a country and a league that l loved. It has produced top players.
This is a dream come true and I just thank God, he made it possible because it’s not everyone who gets opportunities like these in their career.
This means a lot to my career as l have joined a big club and it’s a dream come true. It also feels nice to be rubbing shoulders with players with big names and the best in football.</blockquote>
The 23-year-old expressed his faith in God and believes that the Almighty will take him to places he has never been before.
<blockquote>I am aiming higher and I believe in God and I know that through him we can do the extra ordinaries, we can be the best.
I trust in him and I know that he has plans for me and my career because he is the one who gave me this talent.</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.hmetro.co.zw/munetsi-happy-in-france/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">H Metro</a></h4>

Marshall Munetsi Happy And Adapting Well In France

Warriors midfielder, Marshall Munetsi recently joined French top-flight side Stade de Reims. Below are pictures of the former Orlando Pirates midfielder playing beach soccer with teammates.
<img decoding="async" src="https://u83y9h.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/BD958175-CBDE-4CEC-AFC2-167101F65A0B-300x200.jpeg"/><img decoding="async" src="https://u83y9h.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/1B37ED4D-7C2D-4FAF-BDA8-6DCFE6426B36-300x200.jpeg"/><img decoding="async" src="https://u83y9h.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/25691310-E0C5-45C6-A757-B08CFA8B7944-300x200.jpeg"/>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.soccer24.co.zw/2019/07/19/gallery-warriors-midfielder-marshall-munetsi-playing-beach-soccer-with-his-new-teammates-in-france/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Soccer24</a></h4>

PICTURES: Marshall Munetsi Plays Beach Soccer With New Teammates

French Development Agency (FDA) has revealed that its chief executive officer, Remy Rioux will be visiting Harare in October to meet with and to sign agreements with government officials, in what seems to be a massive endorsement of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration. FDA regional communications officer for Southern Africa, Chiara Frisone said,
<blockquote>Our CEO Remy Rioux will be visiting Zimbabwe on October 6 to 7 to meet with the President (Mnangagwa), central bank governor (John Mangudya), Minister of Finance (Mthuli Ncube) and other high-level officials. During this visit, an agreement between AFD and the government of Zimbabwe will be signed…AFD’s visit to Zimbabwe is basically to say ‘we are back.</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2018/09/mnangagwa-gets-french-boost/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">NewsDay</a>

France Development Boss To Visit Zim To Sign Agreements, Says We Are Back

President <a href="http://www.pindula.co.zw/Robert_Mugabe">Robert Mugabe</a> has kept at least four envoys from Germany, Sweden, France and Portugal unaccredited months after they arrived in the country, citing a busy schedule.
Foreign Affairs permanent secretary Joey Bimha confirmed the situation to NewsDay and said,
<blockquote>This is a very bad period and the President has been tied up with universities’ graduations as well as international engagements. He has been travelling a lot and that has made it difficult for us to find a way around the issue. But we are trying to find time. We had provisionally set December 1, but given the fact that the President is travelling to Cuba, which was not originally planned, that date would have to be moved as well.</blockquote>
A diplomatic source told NewsDay that Mugabe has so far rescheduled the accreditation ceremonies at least five times since August.
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2016/11/30/mugabe-keeps-envoys-guessing/">NewsDay</a>

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