Chad’s President, General Mahamat Idriss Deby, has clarified that the country’s recent decision to end military cooperation with France does not indicate a shift in allegiance to another foreign ally.
Speaking on Sunday, following the Thursday announcement of Chad’s withdrawal from a defense accord with its former colonial power, Deby said, “Chad is in no way seeking to replace one power with another, much less intending to change masters.”
He explained that the military agreements with France had become “obsolete” and no longer aligned with the “political and strategic realities of our time.” Deby emphasized the need to “refocus our partnership with France on other areas that will have a more positive impact on our respective people’s daily lives.”
France, which had previously maintained a military presence in Chad, has recently faced expulsion from other Sahel countries, including Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, where governments have moved closer to Russia.
While Chad has sought to strengthen ties with Moscow, particularly in economic cooperation, these efforts have not yet resulted in substantial agreements. Despite these developments, Deby reaffirmed Chad’s commitment to fostering peace and security on the African continent.
“Chad will continue to play its full role and take its place at the heart of initiatives for strengthening peace and security on the African continent,” he added.
Chad, a landlocked nation in central Africa, faces significant security challenges, including threats from Boko Haram and other militant groups. The country shares borders with Sudan, Libya, Niger, and the Central African Republic, all of which host Russian Wagner paramilitary forces.
