France has “taken note” of Chad’s recent decision to terminate bilateral defense cooperation agreements, Christophe Lemoyne, spokesperson for the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed.
Despite this, France remains committed to continuing dialogue with N’Djamena to address the evolving dynamics of their partnership.
Speaking to Agence France-Presse, Lemoyne said, “We have not yet been officially informed of the cancellation of the agreements,” referring to Chad’s move to dissolve its defense and security partnerships with France.
He also noted that Paris has, for the past two years, been engaged in discussions with its African partners on restructuring its military presence across the continent.
The announcement from Chad’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs came late Thursday, shortly after French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot concluded his visit to N’Djamena.
In its statement, Chad described the decision as a “historic turning point,” emphasizing that it was made after thorough analysis.
“Sixty-six years after declaring the establishment of the Republic of Chad, the time has come for the country to fully assert its sovereignty and redefine its strategic partnerships based on national priorities,” the ministry declared.
Shifting Alliances and Strategic Repositioning
The decision marks a notable pivot in Chad’s international relations. Recently, the country has deepened its ties with Russia.
President Mohamed Idriss Déby Itno visited Moscow earlier this year, where he held talks with President Vladimir Putin.
N’Djamena has also hosted Russian officials, including Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, signaling a shift in its geopolitical alliances.
As France reassesses its military strategy in Africa amidst growing competition from other global powers, Chad’s move reflects a broader trend among African nations seeking to recalibrate their foreign relations to assert greater autonomy.
While Paris has yet to receive official communication on the matter, the development underscores the challenges facing traditional defense partnerships in an increasingly multipolar world.
The focus now shifts to whether dialogue can preserve elements of the Franco-Chadian relationship amid Chad’s pursuit of new strategic directions.
