Chad Ends Defense Pact with France: A Shift Towards Sovereignty and New Alliances
Chad announced on Thursday the termination of its defense cooperation agreement with France, marking a significant shift in its foreign relations and illustrating growing anti-French sentiment not only in Chad but across the Sahel region. This decision, described by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Abderaman Koulamallah as a historic turning point, comes over 60 years after Chad gained independence from French colonial rule.
The Chadian government aims to reassert its sovereignty while recalibrating its international relations. The announcement highlighted a determination to reshape alliances based on national priorities, although it issued a reminder that historical ties with France would not be entirely discarded. Indeed, both nations agree to maintain collaborative efforts in areas of mutual interest.
Mahamet Deby Itno, Chad's interim president who took power in 2021 following the death of his father, has demonstrated a persistent mistrust toward French President Emmanuel Macron. Historically, Chad was one of the last bastions of French military presence in the Sahel, with around 1000 French troops still stationed in the country. However, in recent months, France has seen its forces expelled from several neighboring states, including Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, as military leaders in those nations have sought alternatives, including partnerships with Russia.
According to Ulf Laisseing, head of the Sahel program at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, Deby’s decision is primarily fueled by a desire to diversify Chad's security partnerships. Laisseing noted that Deby does not trust Macron and cannot overlook the rising wave of anti-French sentiment in Chad.
Compounding these international dynamics are domestic challenges within Chad, including protests sparked by the government’s extension of a political transition by two years last year.
While the timing and logistics concerning the departure of French troops remain uncertain, analysts suggest that this pivot may invite new partnerships from nations like Russia, Turkey, and the UAE, as Chad seeks to broaden its security alliances.
In a related development, President Macron recently acknowledged the Thiaroye massacre, where French troops killed up to 400 unarmed West African soldiers in Senegal in 1944. This acknowledgment may be seen as part of an effort to address France's historical footprint in Africa, an issue which has generated substantial tension between France and its former colonies. Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye welcomed Macron's recognition, calling it an important step toward closure for a painful chapter in their shared history.
As African nations re-evaluate their historical ties with France and seek new partnerships in the face of rising regional instability, Chad's decisive move away from France may set a significant precedent for other nations in the Sahel and beyond, illustrating a broader trend of post-colonial nations redefining their international relationships.
Related Sources: