France Starts Withdrawing Military from Chad as Fighter Jets Depart After Defense Pact Ends

Dec 10, 2024, 03:05 PM

France has begun withdrawing its military forces from Chad following the Chadian government's decision, announced on November 28, to terminate the defense cooperation agreement signed in 2019. The withdrawal started on December 10, less than two weeks after the announcement, with the departure of French Mirage 2000D fighter jets and a refueling aircraft from the capital, N'Djamena. The reduction will see French troops in Chad decrease from around 1,000 to 300 soldiers over the coming weeks. This move marks the end of France's decades-long military presence in the Sahel region and signals a broader shift in Africa's regional alliances. France has faced similar withdrawals from other African nations, including Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Senegal, amid increasing frustration with French policies in Africa. The withdrawal coincides with Chad's 66th anniversary of independence.