Chad’s President Mahamat Idriss Deby emphasized that achieving “autonomous security” is a crucial priority for the country following the withdrawal of French military forces. On Thursday, France vacated its last military base in Chad, marking the end of its military presence in the country, a day ahead of the deadline set by Chadian authorities.
In a ceremony in the capital, N’Djamena, Deby declared, “It’s a new sunrise for a fully sovereign Chad, determined to take charge of its own destiny.” He stressed the importance of building a stronger and better-equipped national army to effectively address security threats. While Deby confirmed that Chad would not sever its diplomatic ties with France, he clarified that the military cooperation between the two countries had come to an end.
The Chadian government had announced last November that it would cease military cooperation with France, which led to the withdrawal of French troops. The agreement between the two nations, first signed in 1978 and revised in 2019, was officially terminated in 2024. Over the past few weeks, approximately 1,100 French soldiers were withdrawn from the country, with the final group leaving on Thursday.
This development comes as France’s military presence in Africa continues to shrink, with other countries like Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso also expelling French forces. Senegal and Ivory Coast have also signaled plans to remove French troops. French forces remain in Djibouti and Gabon, where there have been no indications of a change in military agreements.