French troops have initiated the process of been withdrawn from Chad, marking a significant shift in the country’s military presence in Africa.
The French troops made this known through their defense ministry announcement on Friday that a contingent of 120 soldiers had departed Chad and returned to France, just 10 days after French fighter aircraft left the Sahel country for good.
This development follows Chad’s decision on November 28, 2024, to terminate its longstanding defense agreement with France.
The agreement had been a cornerstone of France’s military presence in Africa, with Chad serving as a key link in the wider Sahel region.
The withdrawal of French troops from Chad is not an isolated incident.
France had previously been forced out of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger in the aftermath of military coups in these countries.
The French troops had maintained a significant presence in Chad, with approximately 1,000 personnel stationed in the country.
The departure of French soldiers on Friday took place in the presence of Chadian military authorities, highlighting the ongoing cooperation between the two countries in the field of security.
However, the termination of the defense agreement and the withdrawal of French forces signal a significant reorientation of Chad’s military relationships.
In a related development, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger – three Sahelian nations led by military juntas – are set to officially withdraw from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on January 29, 2025.
This decision, announced during the 66th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Abuja, underscores the growing divisions within the regional bloc.
As France withdraws its military forces from Chad, the country is likely to strengthen its ties with other nations, including Russia and Hungary.
Chad’s President Mahamat Déby has already signaled his openness to new security partnerships, and the country has been exploring cooperation with Russia in various fields, including defense, energy, and agriculture.
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