Chad breaks its defense agreement with France, Senegal is also considering it

The government of Chad has decided to terminate the defense cooperation agreement signed with France. After 66 years of independence, Chad wishes to assert its full sovereignty says the press release of November 28.

This technical military cooperation agreement between France and Chad dates from 1976. French military cooperation in Chad covers ten distinct projects, each under the responsibility of one or two French cooperators, within the framework of an agreement conditioning their presence and the associated means.

The decision was officially notified on Thursday while Jean-Noël Barrot, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, visited N'Djamena on Thursday. He is in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia this Friday. The minister made no comment. Radio silence also in Paris. On this Friday morning, no reaction at this stage of the Ministry of the Armed Forces.

The end of the defense cooperation agreement, which was revised in 2019, will allow Chad to redefine its strategic partnerships, specifies the text signed by the government spokesperson. This Chadian decision should lead to the withdrawal of some 1,000 French soldiers currently deployed in Chad.

Chad, in accordance with the provisions of the agreement, undertakes to respect the terms provided for its termination, including the notice period, and to collaborate with the French authorities in order to ensure a harmonious transition. indicates the press release.

Senegal no longer wants a French base

The Senegalese President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, for his part estimated Thursday in an interview with Monde that the relationship with France had to be rebalanced, and that the maintenance of French soldiers in Senegal did not correspond to our conception of sovereignty and independence .

Bassirou Diomaye Faye said the withdrawal of French soldiers from Senegal was obvious “, specifying, however, that it has not set a deadline For now .

We have cooperation with the United States, China and even Turkey without these countries having a base on our soil. Our relations nevertheless remain in good shape. Is France capable of doing this? It is not because the French have been there since the period of slavery that it is impossible to do otherwise. he said.