Chad has announced the termination of its defence cooperation agreement with France, signalling a major shift in its strategic alliances. The move, described by Chad’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Abderaman Koulamallah as a “historic turning point,” aims to redefine the nation’s sovereignty and align its partnerships with national priorities.
France, Chad’s former colonial ruler, has not yet responded to the decision.
This marks a significant development in France’s dwindling influence in Africa’s Sahel region, where it has faced increasing resistance. Chad was one of the last Sahel countries to host a large French military presence, following France’s military exits from Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, where anti-French sentiment has grown and alliances with Russia have strengthened.
Chad’s interim president, Mahamat Deby Itno, assumed power in 2021 after the death of his father, Idriss Deby, who ruled the country for over three decades. His government recently extended its transitional period by two years, sparking nationwide protests. Analysts suggest that Deby’s mistrust of French President Emmanuel Macron and rising anti-French sentiment in Chad influenced the decision to cut defense ties.
“This decision creates space for other nations, particularly Russia, Turkey, and the UAE, to step in and establish closer security partnerships,” said Ulf Laessing, head of the Sahel program at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.
France currently has around 1,000 troops stationed in Chad, but the government has not specified when they will withdraw. While the announcement reaffirms Chad’s desire to maintain relations in areas of mutual interest, it reflects a broader regional shift away from reliance on French military support.
Senegal, another former French colony, is also reevaluating its relationship with France. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye recently suggested that Senegal might soon eliminate the French military presence in the country, citing the need to redefine ties with its former coloniser.
This growing push for sovereignty underscores the changing dynamics between France and its former colonies.