Chad President Mahamat Idriss declares military pact with France ‘obsolete,’ ends cooperation

Chad’s President Mahamat Idriss Deby announced the termination of a longstanding military cooperation agreement with France, describing it as outdated and no longer aligned with the nation’s current security challenges.

Speaking at a press conference in N’Djamena, Deby declared, “This agreement has become obsolete. It does not bring us any real added value.”

The agreement, last revised in September 2019, was initially aimed at bolstering security and defense ties between the two nations. However, Deby argued that the accord was signed under different historical circumstances and no longer addresses Chad’s pressing needs, such as combating terrorism and safeguarding territorial integrity.

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Chad, which currently hosts around 1,000 French soldiers, has decided to rely solely on its own defense forces. “Our defense and security forces have proven their ability to defend the country and contribute to regional stability, and they are ready to fully assume their responsibilities,” Deby emphasized. He added that the move is a “sovereign act carefully thought out” and ruled out inviting other foreign troops to replace the French presence.

While the termination marks a significant shift, Deby clarified that it does not affect the overall bilateral relations between Chad and France, stating that the decision pertains solely to the military agreement in its current form.

France acknowledged Chad’s decision, with its Foreign Ministry stating it had “taken note” of the move. Chad joins a growing list of Sahel nations, including Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, that have severed security ties with their former colonial power. Senegal, which currently hosts 350 French troops, also signaled its intention to end their presence, according to recent remarks by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye to French media.