In a significant move signaling its growing assertion of sovereignty, Chad announced on Thursday its decision to end its longstanding military cooperation agreement with France.
This announcement, made public via a statement from Chad’s Foreign Minister Abderaman Koulamallah on Facebook, marks a turning point in the nation’s relations with its former colonial power.
“The government of the Republic of Chad informs national and international opinion of its decision to end the accord in the field of defense signed with the French Republic,” the statement read. The announcement came mere hours after French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot concluded a visit to the Chadian capital, N’Djamena.
Chad has been a cornerstone of France’s military presence in Africa, particularly in the volatile Sahel region. The country has served as Paris’s last significant foothold after French troops were expelled from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger in recent years. Currently, Chad hosts around 1,000 French troops, primarily stationed as part of France’s counterterrorism initiatives in the region.
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Despite this decision, Chad’s Foreign Minister Koulamallah sought to downplay the move as a rupture in ties, emphasizing the country’s desire for equal and sovereign relations.
“This is not a break with France like Niger or elsewhere,” Koulamallah told AFP, stressing that Chad still considers France “an essential partner.” However, he added, “France must now also consider that Chad has grown up, matured, and is a sovereign state that is very jealous of its sovereignty.”
Chad’s decision comes at a critical juncture as it grapples with multiple security threats, including those posed by militant groups like Boko Haram. The landlocked country also shares borders with volatile neighbors such as Sudan, Libya, and the Central African Republic—all of which have seen an increased presence of Russian paramilitary forces, including the Wagner Group.
In recent months, Chad’s government under President Mahamat Idriss Deby has been exploring closer ties with Moscow. While economic cooperation agreements with Russia have yet to yield tangible results, this shift hints at N’Djamena’s effort to diversify its international partnerships.
Koulamallah described the move to terminate the military agreement with France as a “historic turning point,” indicating that the decision followed “in-depth analysis.”
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He also assured that Chad would respect the terms outlined in the agreement for its termination, including adhering to the stipulated notice period. However, the statement did not specify a timeline for the withdrawal of French troops.
Chad’s relationship with France has been deeply rooted in decades of military and political support. The late President Idriss Deby Itno, who ruled for 30 years until his death in 2021, often relied on French military assistance to counter rebel offensives, including significant interventions in 2008 and 2019. His son and current leader, Mahamat Idriss Deby, took over in the wake of his father’s death and has since sought to carve out a more independent path for Chad.
The decision to end military cooperation also reflects broader regional shifts, as other African nations like Senegal have recently questioned the presence of French military bases. Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, in an interview earlier this week, called for the closure of French bases in his country, asserting that sovereignty is incompatible with the presence of foreign military forces.
For France, this development represents another challenge to its waning influence in Africa. With its military footprint shrinking across the Sahel, Paris faces increasing pressure to recalibrate its strategy in the region. For Chad, the decision underscores its ambitions to assert greater autonomy on the global stage while navigating a complex web of security and diplomatic challenges.
As Chad moves forward, its ability to manage security threats and maintain strategic partnerships will be critical. Whether this decision leads to enhanced self-reliance or greater vulnerability remains to be seen, but it undoubtedly marks a new chapter in the nation’s post-colonial journey.
AFP