The recent announcement of the termination of the military cooperation agreement between Chad and France took international observers by surprise. This decision, which came after an official visit by the head of French diplomacy to Ndjamena, raises many questions about the reasons that pushed the Chadian authorities to act in this way. The direct consequences of this termination on the French military presence in the Sahel and in Africa in general are also subject to debate.
At this stage, the exact reasons behind Chad’s decision to end defense cooperation with France remain unclear. However, certain recent events may have contributed to this rupture. The visit of the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, focused mainly on the situation in neighboring Sudan and humanitarian aid without giving sufficient importance to Chad, may have played a role in this decision. Similarly, the failure of the promised capacity support to the Chadian air force and speculation about a possible transfer of French forces to Côte d’Ivoire may have fueled tensions.
The recent release of a Russian influencer under international sanctions, followed by high-level contacts between Moscow and Ndjamena, also raises questions about possible new strategic alliances. Together, these elements suggest a combination of factors that potentially led to Chad’s radical decision.
This termination of the military agreement raises questions about the future of the French presence in Chad. Is this a total withdrawal of French troops present on the territory, or is the possibility of a new agreement conceivable? This unilateral decision calls into question the new French strategy in Africa, focused on lighter and more reactive devices.
The report by Jean-Marie Bockel sent by Emmanuel Macron to reconfigure the French military presence in Africa already seems outdated. With Senegal’s refusal to host foreign military bases, the French military is now facing a series of challenges to its presence on the continent.
The long-standing political and military relationship between France and Chad, marked by external operations conducted by the French military in the region, is now in a transition phase. The future of this historic cooperation is now uncertain, as Chad appears to be moving towards greater military autonomy and new strategic alliances.
In conclusion, the termination of the military cooperation agreement between Chad and France raises crucial questions about the future of relations between the two countries and France’s involvement in AfricaThis decision marks a turning point in regional geopolitics and could have significant repercussions on stability and security in the Sahel region.