Chad ends French troop presence, Senegal to follow
Chad said on November 28th that it had ended its defence co-operation pact with France, a move that could see French troops leave the country, according to the Arab Weekly and agencies.
In a statement, Chad’s foreign ministry said in a statement that the country wanted to fully assert its sovereignty after more than six decades of independence.
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It said the decision to end the defence co-operation agreement revised five years ago would enable it to redefine its strategic partnerships. Chad has previously co-operated closely with Western nations’ military forces but has recently moved closer to Russia.
The decision comes as France continues to lose influence over its historic African colonies, after being forced to pull its troops out of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso following military coups.
The military juntas have since pivoted to close ties with Russia, which has mercenaries deployed across the Sahel, and has been fostering closer ties with Chadian president Mahamat Deby.
“In accordance with the terms of the accord, Chad will respect the modalities of the termination including the necessary deadlines, and will collaborate with French authorities to ensure a harmonious transition,” the statement said.
France’s foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot visited Chad’s border with Sudan on the same day, and there was no indication that Paris had been given advance notice of the decision.
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However, a French envoy to president Macron this week handed in a report with proposals on how France could decrease its military presence in Chad, Gabon and Ivory Coast, where it has spent decades deploying thousands of troops.
France currently has around 1,000 troops as well as warplanes stationed in Chad.
In a further blow, Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye said in an interview with French state TV on November 28th that French troops should not stay in his country.
He didn’t say categorically that French troops would be asked to leave, but said Paris would be the first to know about the status of the 350 French troops based in Senegal.
Chad’s statement said the decision to end the nation’s defence partnership with France should not undermine relations between the two countries.
Earlier this year, Chad ordered a small contingent of US special operations forces to leave the country, although the US said it was in talks for them to return in September.
Africa News, CNN
