Official announcements by the French government or credible news sources like Reuters or BBC

Chad and Senegal Expel 1,000 French Troops, Close Bases Amid Rising Russian Influence

Nov 29, 2024, 03:04 PM

Chad and Senegal have announced the termination of their military cooperation agreements with France, marking a significant shift in the French military presence in Africa. Chad's Foreign Minister Abderaman Koulamallah declared the end of defense cooperation with France, effectively asking 1,000 French troops to leave the country, shortly after the visit of French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot to N'Djamena. In Senegal, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye stated that French military bases must be closed, asserting that their presence is incompatible with the country's sovereignty. His remarks came during the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Thiaroye massacre, which France has acknowledged for the first time. These developments further diminish France's influence in the Sahel region amid growing Russian involvement, following recent expulsions of French troops from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.