Chad Ends Defense Pact with France, Redefines Sovereignty Amid Regional Shifts

Chad has announced the termination of its longstanding defense cooperation agreement with France, marking a pivotal moment in the Central African nation's efforts to redefine its sovereignty more than six decades after gaining independence.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Abderaman Koulamallah stated Thursday that the decision allows Chad to reshape its strategic partnerships in line with national priorities. While France has yet to respond, this move underscores the changing dynamics in a region where France's influence has waned amid growing anti-French sentiment.

Chad, one of the few remaining strongholds of French military presence in the Sahel, joins Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, which have recently distanced themselves from France, favoring closer ties with nations like Russia. France has maintained around 1,000 troops in Chad, but the statement did not clarify when they are expected to leave.

Chad’s interim president, Mahamat Deby Itno, who assumed power after the death of his father in 2021, has reportedly sought to diversify the country's security partnerships. Analysts note that Deby has long distrusted French President Emmanuel Macron, making room for nations like Russia, Turkey, and the UAE to strengthen ties.

Despite the move, Chad emphasized that the decision does not negate historical ties with France, with hopes of maintaining relations in other shared interests. This development also coincides with Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye hinting at a similar reassessment of French military presence, signaling a broader regional shift in Africa's relationship with its former colonial power.