France began withdrawing its military forces from Chad this week, marking a significant shift in its Sahel strategy. The departure of two Mirage fighter jets and a tanker aircraft from the capital, N’Djamena, signaled the start of the pullback.
This follows Chad’s November 28 decision to end its decades-old defence agreement with France, a move announced just hours after French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot visited the country. “The French army is initiating the withdrawal of fighter planes stationed at the Kossei airbase,” a French military spokesperson told AFP.
Chad’s President Mahamat Idriss Déby clarified that the decision does not sever ties with France but reflects a new approach. “It is not a rejection of international cooperation or our diplomatic relationship with France,” Déby said.
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France’s military presence in Chad, which included about 1,000 troops across multiple bases, had been its last stronghold in the Sahel following forced exits from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Anti-French sentiment and military coups in these nations have reshaped the regional political landscape.
Colonel Guillaume Vernet, a French military spokesperson, described the jet departures as “the beginning of the return of French equipment.” He confirmed further plans for repatriation would unfold in the coming weeks.
Chad’s military also acknowledged the withdrawal, with spokesman Chanane Acheikh stating, “The public will be informed about the process until the definitive departure of French forces.”
Observers note Chad’s recent outreach to Russia, but no concrete agreements have emerged. Meanwhile, the end of France’s presence in Chad signals a profound realignment in the region, underscoring the evolving balance of power in Africa.
