France Withdraws Military from Chad After Defense Agreements Terminated

Dec 10, 2024, 01:29 PM

France has initiated the withdrawal of its military forces from Chad, marking a significant shift in its military presence in Africa. This move follows Chad's decision to terminate its defense cooperation agreements with France, announced two weeks prior. The French army has confirmed that the withdrawal process has begun, with the first French fighter jets departing from N'Djamena, Chad's capital. The withdrawal comes after Chad, along with Senegal, decided to end military ties with France, signaling a broader regional shift away from former colonial powers. The French military presence in Chad, which included around 1,000 troops, is set to be reduced to 300 soldiers. This marks the end of France's decades-long military project in the Sahel region, following similar withdrawals from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.