France has started withdrawing its troops from Chad after the Chadian government terminated their defence agreements. Mahamat Mahamoud Adam Béchir, Chad’s ambassador to Russia, announced that the first phase of the withdrawal began on December 10. This move followed Chad’s decision to end its military cooperation agreements with France.
The beginning of the withdrawal of French military forces from Chad took place on December 10, following the denunciation of military cooperation agreements by Chad, he disclosed on the X platform.
The withdrawal began on Tuesday, with the departure of two Mirage 2000-D fighter jets from N’Djamena, the capital. According to Afrinews, the jets left after midday from a French military base in the city, with Chadian military personnel present to bid them farewell. The aircraft were headed back to a French air force base in Nancy, eastern France. French military spokesman Colonel Guillaume Vernet confirmed the flight and said discussions with Chadian officials were ongoing regarding how and when the remaining French troops would leave.
As previously reported, Chad ended the military agreement on November 29, 2024. Foreign Minister Abderaman Koulamallah described the move as a historic moment for Chad, which gained independence from France in 1960. He explained that the decision would help Chad assert its independence and build partnerships that align with its national interests better. While Koulamallah did not provide a specific timeline for the complete withdrawal, he emphasised that Chad would honour the terms of the agreement.
Public opinion appears to support removing French troops from Chadian soil. On December 6, hundreds of people reportedly gathered in N’Djamena to call for the withdrawal of French forces. Demonstrators marched to a military airbase where French soldiers were stationed and gathered outside the French embassy guarded by Chadian army troops. They echoed chants of “Chad for us, France out!” and expressed their desire for the French military to leave.
France has maintained a military presence of about 1,000 troops in Chad for years. This withdrawal marks a shift in Chad’s strategy as it seeks to redefine its foreign alliances and assert its sovereignty.
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