Chad has officially ended its decades-long defense pact with France, signaling a historic realignment in the Sahel region and dealing a severe blow to Paris’ influence in Africa. The announcement came Thursday from Chad’s foreign minister, Abderaman Koulamallah, who described the decision as “a historic turning point” and a step towards asserting Chad’s sovereignty.
🇹🇩🇫🇷 Le Tchad decide de mettre fin à l'accord de coopération en matière de défense avec la France.
— Ambassade du Tchad en France (@Ambatchadparis) November 28, 2024
Communiqué du Gouvernement 👇 pic.twitter.com/YXeBjv2WZ4
The decision leaves France’s 1,000 troops in Chad facing an imminent withdrawal, further eroding its military presence in a region once central to its strategic interests. Following similar moves by Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso in the past two years, France now faces the collapse of its last significant partnership in the Sahel, a region plagued by instability and Islamist insurgencies.
Rising Anti-French Sentiment
President Mahamat Idriss Déby’s government has increasingly distanced itself from Paris, reflecting growing anti-French sentiment in Chad and the broader region. Déby, who took power in 2021 following the death of his father, long-time ruler Idriss Déby, has embraced new geopolitical partners, including Russia.
Earlier this year, Déby visited Moscow, signaling closer ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Reports indicate Wagner Group operatives, known for their presence across Africa, played a role in Déby’s recent presidential campaign. Déby’s public statements, including a rallying cry in May declaring, “Those who don’t respect us, get out!” have resonated with a population increasingly disillusioned with France’s historical and military role in the region.
Analysts suggest Chad’s decision could create a power vacuum in the Sahel, opening the door to greater Russian influence. The Wagner Group already operates extensively in neighboring Central African Republic, Mali, and other Sahelian nations, further challenging Western strategic interests in Africa.
Paris Caught Off Guard Amid Mounting Regional Setbacks
The timing of Chad’s announcement has left French officials scrambling. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot had concluded a visit to Chad just a day earlier, unaware of the impending decision. A French foreign ministry spokesperson acknowledged Chad’s desire to “evolve” the partnership late Friday but admitted that the move came as a surprise.
The decision follows a series of humiliating setbacks for France in Africa, including the forced withdrawal of troops from Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso after military coups. Earlier this week, Senegal’s president also called for the departure of French troops, adding to Paris’ challenges in maintaining influence in its former colonies.
Chad’s foreign ministry emphasized that the end of the defense pact does not mark the end of friendly relations between the two nations. However, this move signals a broader rejection of France’s military presence in the region. For Paris, the loss of its last Sahelian stronghold marks the culmination of a dramatic decline in its influence on the continent, while Chad’s pivot highlights a shifting geopolitical landscape in Africa.
The geopolitical impact of Chad cutting ties with France
Chad’s decision to sever military ties with France signals a shift in the broader security architecture of the Sahel region, where France has long had a presence as part of its counter-terrorism efforts, particularly through the Barkhane operation. This move could embolden local insurgencies and extremist groups like ISIS and al-Qaeda in the region, potentially destabilizing an already volatile area.
France, historically seen as a key ally for many African nations, might lose influence in the region. Chad, being a central player in Sahelian politics, could seek new partnerships with other powers, such as Russia, China, or even regional powers like Nigeria. This could lead to a diversification of military and diplomatic alliances, reducing France’s dominance in its former colonies.
