Lagos, Nigeria – Chad has announced the termination of a key defence cooperation agreement with France, raising fresh concerns about the waning influence of Paris in Africa’s Sahel region.
Foreign Minister Abderaman Koulamallah stated that Chad’s decision was a move to “assert its full sovereignty.” The announcement came just hours after French Minister for Overseas Territories, Jean-Noël Barrot, met with Chad’s President, Mahamat Déby.
Chad has long been a critical ally in the West’s fight against Islamist militants in the Sahel, a volatile region spanning West and Central Africa. However, the nation has been distancing itself from traditional Western partners. Earlier this year, ahead of Chad’s presidential elections in May, the government ordered the withdrawal of US troops stationed in the country.
Currently, France maintains approximately 1,000 soldiers in Chad, providing intelligence and logistical support to Chadian forces from bases including one in the capital, N’Djamena. The now-cancelled defence agreement was last revised in 2019, reinforcing security ties between the two nations.
Chad’s decision follows a broader trend among Francophone African nations. Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have all severed security agreements with France in recent years, pivoting instead to Russia for military assistance. Despite this, Koulamallah clarified to the AFP that Chad’s move should not be seen as a “rupture with France like Niger or other countries.”
Chad has announced its decision to terminate a major defence cooperation agreement with France, highlighting a shift in regional dynamics and raising questions about Paris’s waning influence in Africa’s Sahel region.
Foreign Minister Abderaman Koulamallah stated that the move reflects Chad’s commitment to asserting “full sovereignty.” The announcement came shortly after a meeting between French Overseas Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and Chadian President Mahamat Déby in N’Djamena.
France currently deploys approximately 1,000 troops in Chad, supporting local forces with intelligence and logistical assistance. The now-rescinded agreement, last updated in 2019, had formalized military and security collaboration between the two countries.
Chad’s decision mirrors a broader regional trend. In recent years, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have terminated similar agreements with France, opting instead for partnerships with Russia. Koulamallah, however, emphasized that Chad’s decision does not signal a complete severance of ties. “This is not a rupture with France, as seen in Niger or elsewhere,” he clarified, adding that France remains an essential partner in areas beyond security.
The Chadian government has insisted that the termination aligns with a broader strategy to “redefine its strategic partnerships based on national priorities.” Koulamallah reiterated that the decision would not impact Chad-France relations in other sectors.
Chad’s announcement arrives at a time when France’s historical role in Africa is under renewed scrutiny. Just last week, French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged for the first time the 1944 massacre of West African soldiers by French forces in Thiaroye, Senegal. The soldiers, part of the Tirailleurs Sénégalais, were killed after demanding unpaid wages following their service in World War II.
Between 35 and 400 soldiers were killed in the massacre, and several survivors faced court-martial in 1945. Macron’s acknowledgment came ahead of the 80th anniversary of the tragedy, marking a step toward addressing France’s colonial legacy.
Meanwhile, former Portuguese Foreign Minister João Gomes Cravinho has assumed the role of Special Representative for the Sahel for the European Union. Recognizing the region’s “strategic importance,” Cravinho stressed the need for Europe to take the lead in addressing Sahelian challenges.
“If we don’t take responsibility, no one else will,” Cravinho told Lusa. He identified humanitarian aid, development cooperation, and security training as key areas where the EU must deploy resources more effectively to foster stability in the region.
The Sahel’s shifting alliances and growing instability continue to underscore its significance on the global stage, with major powers reevaluating their roles in shaping the region’s future.
