Chad closes second French military base in historic move for sovereignty

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Lagos, Nigeria – France has officially handed over its second military base in Chad, located in Abéché, the country’s fourth-largest city, as part of a phased withdrawal of French troops. During a formal ceremony, Chad’s Minister of Armed Forces, General Issakha Maloua Djamous, emphasised the significance of national sovereignty, stating that “the integrity of a state is rooted in its ability to defend its territorial sovereignty.”

AfricaHeadline Reports Team
editorial@africaheadline.com 

The French flag was lowered, marking the end of decades of French military presence in the region, as troops boarded a military aircraft to leave the country.

This development aligns with the timeline agreed upon by the two governments, which included the transfer of the Faya base in December 2024 and the planned closure of the final base, Sergent Adji Kossei in N’Djamena, by the end of January 2025.

Chad had announced the termination of its security and defence cooperation agreement with France in November 2024, describing the move as a historic turning point. Foreign Minister Abderaman Koulamallah stated that after 66 years of independence, Chad was asserting its full sovereignty and seeking to redefine its strategic partnership with France.

The decision mirrors a broader regional shift in the Sahel, where French influence is diminishing amid political upheavals and changing alliances. In neighbouring Niger, a military junta that came to power in 2023 also annulled defence agreements with France.

Similarly, the United States announced in April 2024 that it would withdraw most of its troops from Chad and Niger, signalling a significant reconfiguration of foreign military presence in a region grappling with security challenges and Islamist extremism.