A historic chapter in Chad’s relations with France has come to an end. On Wednesday, January 31st, President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno officially confirmed the departure of the last French troops from Chadian territory, marking the conclusion of a two-month phased withdrawal.
The withdrawal began on December 10th with the closure of the Faya-Largeau base in the north, followed by the closure of the Abéché base in the east. The final French military aircraft departed from N’Djamena’s Adji Kossey base on Tuesday evening, bringing an end to over a century of French military presence in Chad.
This move follows President Déby’s December 1st decision to terminate the 1978 military cooperation agreements with France, which were revised in 2019. However, President Déby emphasized that this decision does not signify a severing of ties with France, stating that it applies solely to the military aspect of their bilateral relationship.
President Déby reiterated Chad’s commitment to building a “stronger, better-equipped army capable of addressing security threats independently.”
France’s withdrawal from Chad follows similar departures from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, marking a significant shift in French military presence across Africa.
AC/sf/lb/abj/APA