ICYMI: France Hands Over Faya Military Base To Chadian Army As Troop Withdrawal Continues

The Faya-Largeau military base in northern Chad has been officially transferred to the Chadian army, marking a step in France’s withdrawal. The handover occurred on December 26 and was confirmed in a statement by the Chadian army general staff.

This development comes a month after Chad’s government announced its decision to terminate its defence agreement with France, signed in 1960. This signalled the end of decades-long military cooperation.

During the official handover in Faya, French Air Force transport planes removed more than 70 tons of equipment. Local sources reported that French troops departed the base by road en route to N’Djamena, the capital, located 780 kilometres to the south.

French military officials stated that the transfer aligns with an agreed timeline between the two countries. “The retrocession is in line with the established schedule and follows the normal course of the plan,” a French official told Le Journal.

The withdrawal also involves repatriating military vehicles via the Cameroonian port of Douala, with maritime operations expected to conclude in January.

Chad was France’s last stronghold in the Sahel after its military exits from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. The disengagement reflects a turning point in the relationship between France and its former colonies, which are increasingly seeking new partnerships.

In late November, Chadian Foreign Minister Abderaman Koulamallah announced the government’s decision to terminate the defence cooperation agreement with France., emphasising the country’s move toward greater autonomy. French troops had maintained a continuous presence in Chad since its independence in 1960, but the dynamic shifted under the leadership of General Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno.

Rejecting a French proposal for a withdrawal timeline extending into March, Chad ordered the withdrawal of all French troops from the country by January 31, 2025.

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