Chad government terminates defense cooperation pact with France

The government of Chad announced on November 28 that it had terminated a defense cooperation pact with France, a move that could see French troops leave the Central African nation.

Chad, a key Western ally in the fight against Islamist jihadist groups in the region, wants to fully assert its sovereignty more than six decades after independence, the country's foreign ministry said in a statement, according to Reuters.

French President Emmanuel Macron (right) takes a photo with Chad's President, General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno in Villers-Cotterets (France) on October 4.

Chad's Foreign Ministry also said the decision to end the aforementioned defense cooperation agreement, which was revised in 2019, would allow them to redefine their strategic partnerships.

"Under the terms of the agreement, Chad will respect the termination modalities including the necessary deadlines and will cooperate with the French government to ensure a harmonious transition," the Chad Foreign Ministry stressed.

The French Foreign Ministry has not yet commented. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot visited Chad’s border with Sudan on November 28.

There is no indication that Paris was informed of the decision in advance, although a special envoy of French President Emmanuel Macron submitted a report this week with proposals on how France could reduce its military presence in Chad, Gabon and Ivory Coast. France currently has about 1,000 troops as well as fighter jets stationed in Chad.

Chad's foreign ministry statement said the decision to end its defense partnership with France does not weaken the friendly relations between the two countries.

Chad's decision to end the defense cooperation pact is another blow to France's historic and colonial role in West and Central Africa after France withdrew its troops from Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso following military coups.

In addition, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye said in an interview with French television on November 28 that it was inappropriate for French troops to remain in his country. Faye did not say when or if the French troops would be asked to leave, but said Paris would be the first to know. About 350 French troops are stationed in Senegal.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/chinh-phu-chad-cham-dut-hiep-uoc-hop-tac-quoc-phong-voi-phap-185241129090108345.htm