Chad severs military ties with France, hours after French foreign minister's visit

The government of Chad has decided to terminate the defense cooperation agreement signed with France, the Chadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced Thursday, November 28.

66 years after “the proclamation of the Republic of Chad, it is time for Chad to assert its full sovereignty, and to redefine its strategic partnerships according to national priorities”, communicated the head of diplomacy Abderaman Koulamallah, quoted by the Chadian site Alwihda.

The defense cooperation agreement was revised in 2019. “France must now consider that Chad has grown and matured, that Chad is a sovereign state and very jealous of its sovereignty,” said Abderaman Koulamallah, reported by Le Monde.

“Harmonious transition”

While it had closely cooperated with Western armies, Chad has moved closer to Russia in recent years. “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”, it is said specified.

However, no timetable has yet been given for the withdrawal of “some 1,000 French soldiers stationed in the country”, underlines the Nigerian media Newscentral.

This announcement comes after the visit to Chad on Thursday of the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, during which the latter met President Mahamat Idriss Deby. Nothing shows that Paris was informed of the decision before its announcement.

A French envoy to President Emmanuel Macron delivered a report this week detailing proposals for how France could reduce its military presence in Chad, Gabon and the Ivory Coast.