Chad Ends French Military Presence

Chad has officially ended France’s military presence within its borders, with the handover of the last French military base in N’Djamena to local authorities on Thursday, 1 February 2025. This move comes two months after Chad terminated its defence cooperation agreement with France, joining a growing list of African nations redefining their military and strategic partnerships.

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The handover of Sergent Adji Kossei Air Base in the capital marks the final step in France’s withdrawal from Chad, following the December and January closures of Faya and Abeche bases in the north and east of the country. The French army, which had 1,000 personnel stationed in Chad, has now fully departed, closing a chapter of nearly six decades of military presence in the strategically vital Sahel nation.

A Turning Point in Chad-France Relations

Chadian authorities described the end of the defence agreement as a “turning point”, allowing the country to redefine its strategic partnerships in line with national priorities. President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, who has led Chad since 2021, justified the decision by stating that “the political and geostrategic realities of our time” rendered the agreement “completely obsolete.”

Despite this military withdrawal, N’Djamena has sought to reassure Paris that bilateral ties remain intact, particularly in trade, diplomacy, and economic cooperation. Chad has reiterated that the move does not sever its historical relationship with France but rather reflects a shift in sovereignty and security dynamics.

France’s Retreat: The End of an Era in the Sahel

Chad was France’s last major military stronghold in the Sahel, following forced withdrawals from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. The loss of these strategic footholds signals a rapid decline in French influence across West and Central Africa, regions where Paris had historically maintained strong military and political ties.

At its peak, France’s Operation Barkhane—launched to combat jihadist insurgencies—stationed over 5,000 troops across the Sahel. However, military takeovers in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger led to France’s expulsion, with the new junta-led governments shifting their security alliances toward Russia.

Senegal, Ivory Coast, and Gabon have also announced plans to reduce or end France’s military presence, aligning with a broader restructuring of Paris’s engagement in Africa. Meanwhile, France’s base in Djibouti is being expanded as a future launchpad for potential African operations.

A Growing Shift Toward African Sovereignty

Chad’s decision aligns with a wider trend of African nations reclaiming control over security policies and reducing dependence on Western military intervention. The region’s leadership, particularly in the Sahel, has increasingly criticised France for its perceived failures in addressing security threats, particularly the expansion of jihadist insurgencies linked to al-Qaeda and ISIL (ISIS).

This sentiment has been exacerbated by French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent comments, lamenting that African nations had “forgotten to say thank you” for France’s counter-terrorism efforts. His remarks drew backlash, reinforcing perceptions of neo-colonial arrogance and further straining relations with African leaders.

Geopolitical Re-configurations: The Russia Factor

Following France’s departure, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have pivoted toward Russia, forging security alliances that include deploying Wagner Group mercenaries to assist their armed forces. This shift reflects a broader realignment of military partnerships in Africa, where many nations are seeking alternative security solutions outside Western frameworks.

The future of Chad’s security cooperation remains uncertain. While N’Djamena has not explicitly embraced Russian military support, its decision to cut ties with France opens the door for new defence partnerships with actors such as China, Turkey, or Russia.

Implications for Regional Security

Chad has historically played a crucial role in counter-terrorism efforts across the Sahel and remains one of Africa’s most battle-hardened militaries. However, without direct French military support, concerns remain over the country’s ability to contain cross-border extremist threats, particularly in regions plagued by Boko Haram and ISIL-affiliated groups.

This development raises critical questions:

• Will Chad pursue military agreements with new international partners, or adopt a more self-reliant security strategy?
• How will the withdrawal of French troops affect regional counter-terrorism operations?
• Will other African nations follow Chad’s lead, further eroding France’s military presence on the continent?

Conclusion: A New Era for Chad and the Sahel

France’s military withdrawal from Chad marks the end of an era, both for Chad-France relations and for France’s broader military engagement in Africa. It reflects Africa’s shifting geopolitical landscape, where nations are increasingly prioritising sovereignty, strategic diversification, and alternative partnerships.

As Chad charts its new course, the question remains: Will this move strengthen its autonomy, or expose new security vulnerabilities in an already volatile region?

One thing is certain: The Sahel’s geopolitical balance is changing, and the coming years will redefine Africa’s approach to security, sovereignty, and international partnerships.