« Mistral »: What is the French helicopter carrier doing in Senegal?

The French amphibious helicopter carrier « Mistral » is in Dakar from October 2 to 6, 2026, for a military cooperation mission with Senegal. Over five days, French and Senegalese military personnel are conducting joint land and sea exercises and knowledge exchanges, particularly at the Mont-Rolland training center. The visit aims to strengthen operational coordination between the two armed forces in tactical, maritime, and academic areas. It comes a little over a year after French forces withdrew from Senegal.