France Begins Withdrawal From Chad, Hands Over Abéché Base; Full Exit by January 31

Jan 11, 2025, 01:34 PM

France has begun withdrawing its military forces from Chad, marking a significant shift in the country's military presence in Africa. On January 11, 2025, the French military officially handed over the Abéché base in eastern Chad to the Chadian army, following the earlier evacuation of the Faya-Largeau base. This move is part of a broader withdrawal mandated by the Chadian government, which terminated its military cooperation agreements with France in November 2024. The complete withdrawal of French forces from Chad is scheduled to be finalized by January 31, 2025. The Chadian government views this as a step towards asserting full sovereignty, reflecting a broader trend among African nations to reassess their military ties with former colonial powers.