France relinquishes command over its final military outpost, formally marking the termination of its military involvement in Chad.
French Forces bid a formal goodbye to Chad on Thursday, relinquishing control of the Kossei airbase in N'Djamena to local authorities – thus marking the final end of France's military presence in the African nation.
The French Army's Twitter account confirmed this move, stating that it was an "orderly and secure withdrawal coordinated with Chadian authorities." This handover signifies the next chapter in the military system's reorganization in Africa.
Interestingly, Chad's Armed Forces General Staff affirmed that it symbolizes the "definitive end of French forces' presence in Chad, in accordance with the authorities' will and the Chadian people's wishes." News portal Alwihda reported this development, displaying a commendable shift towards regional sovereignty by Chad.
This transfer of power follows the closure of France's bases in Faya-Largeau and Abeche, in December 2021 and January 2022, respectively. These decisions were made after Chad's transitional president Mahamat Idriss Déby ended the defense agreement with Paris and demanded the withdrawal of European troops.
President Déby described the agreement as "outdated" and emphasized that the move was context-specific, aiming to "realign" ties with Paris. He insisted that the agreement "did not provide any real added value in the military realm," as Chad faces "several and serious challenges, mainly terrorist attacks."
Chad's decision to bid adieu to France comes in the wake of similar moves by military juntas in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, who severed their military ties with Paris and grew closer to Russia. The former as part of the Sahel States Alliance (SSA), following their exit from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
These events indicate a broader regional trend of distance from traditional Western powers, with nations actively exploring alternative partnerships. While Türkiye seems to be the immediate beneficiary in Chad, the stage remains set for Russia and other players to seize opportunities in this evolving geopolitical landscape of the Sahel.
- S sports news outlets have reported that the handover of the Kossei airbase in Chad from French forces to local authorities means a significant shift in the Sahel region's political landscape, also marking the end of French military presence in the country.
- In addition to Chad, countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have recently decided to sever their military ties with France, aligning themselves with Russia instead, contributing to a broader trend of distance from traditional Western powers.
- General news sources suggest that Chad's decision, along with the closure of France's bases in Faya-Largeau and Abeche, was motivated by President Mahamat Idriss Déby's desire to realign ties with Paris, as he considered the existing defense agreement outdated and of no real value in the military realm due to the country's ongoing challenges, particularly against terrorist attacks.
- Interestingly, this withdrawal of French forces from Chad has been confirmed on the French Army's Twitter account, noting that it was an orderly and secure process conducted in collaboration with Chadian authorities, signifying the start of a new chapter in the military system's organization in Africa.
