Official announcements from the French government

France Hands Over Faya-Largeau Base in Chad Amid End of Military Cooperation

Dec 26, 2024, 04:50 PM

France has officially handed over its first military base in Chad as part of its ongoing military withdrawal from the country. The base at Faya-Largeau in northern Chad was transferred to the Chadian army, marking a significant step in the process that began after Chad ended its military cooperation agreements with France in late November. The Chadian military has stated that it will provide updates on the withdrawal from the bases in Abeche and the capital, N'Djamena. French troops, numbering around 1,000, have been stationed in Chad almost continuously since its independence in 1960, primarily for training and supporting the Chadian military. The withdrawal is set to continue, with military vehicles scheduled to leave by January and be repatriated via the Cameroonian port of Douala. This move follows Chad's decision to end defense cooperation with France, its former colonial power, amid a broader reconfiguration of French military presence in Africa. The base at Faya is approximately 780 km from N'Djamena, and a first contingent of 120 soldiers has already left the country. Chad is holding parliamentary and local elections on Sunday.