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Chad has announced the termination of a defence co-operation agreement with France, a move that could lead to the withdrawal of 1,000 French soldiers from the country. This decision marks a significant setback for President Emmanuel Macron’s efforts to reset ties with Africa.
The foreign ministry of the central African nation stated that it was ending a treaty that was last revised in 2019 in order to assert Chad’s “full sovereignty” and redefine its strategic partnerships based on national priorities. This decision comes after more than six decades of independence from its former colonial power.
Chad has been a longstanding western ally, particularly in the fight against Islamist insurgents in the Sahel region. Following the death of former leader Idriss Déby Itno on the frontline three years ago, his son Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno assumed power in an unconstitutional transfer. The younger Déby, who recently won a controversial election, has been working to diversify Chad’s strategic partnerships. However, his leadership has faced skepticism from both the military and his own ethnic group.
This move by Chad to cut military ties with France is part of a broader trend of countries in the region distancing themselves from European powers. Recent developments in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have seen military leaders seizing power and expelling European troops, turning instead to Russia for support.
France’s foreign ministry has not yet commented on Chad’s decision. Will Brown, a senior policy fellow with the European Council on Foreign Relations, believes that this move should be viewed in the context of Macron’s plans to withdraw troops from the region.
In addition to forging alliances with the United Arab Emirates and Russia, Déby has also cultivated a friendship with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Hungary has pledged significant aid and military support to Chad, while the UAE has provided aid and military equipment.
Following Chad’s announcement, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye called for the departure of French soldiers from his country as well. Faye questioned the need for foreign troops on Senegalese soil, emphasizing the importance of national sovereignty.
As Chad and other African nations reevaluate their strategic partnerships, the dynamics of power and influence in the region continue to evolve.
