Hundreds In Chad Call For French Forces To Leave

Hundreds of people gathered in N’Djamena, Chad’s capital, on Friday to support the government’s call for the end of military cooperation with France. The protest, which saw up to 500 attendees carrying placards reading “Bar France,” was held at the N’Djari stadium and expressed strong opposition to the French military presence in Chad.

Abdel Daim Abdallah Ousmane, Secretary-General of the Higher Council for Islamic Affairs, stated, “After 60 years of cooperation, we don’t need the French military, we have an army, we can defend our country.” He emphasized that the demonstration was peaceful and that Chad is not an enemy of France, though it no longer sees the need for French military involvement.

The protest was approved by the Chadian authorities, despite street demonstrations being banned. A similar rally took place on Thursday in Abeche, Chad’s eastern commercial hub, according to local reports.

France currently has about 1,000 troops stationed in Chad, which is its last military foothold in the Sahel region. However, Chad announced on November 28 that it would end its defense agreement with France, which had been in place since the country’s independence in 1960. This decision is part of a broader effort to regain sovereignty in national defense, as expressed by the Chadian government.

The move reflects a shift in the region, as French influence in former colonies has waned. After military coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, France was forced to withdraw troops from those countries, which have since pivoted toward closer relations with Russia.

Chad’s leader, General Mahamat Idriss Déby, has also been exploring ties with Russia, although these efforts have not yet resulted in significant economic agreements. The country faces ongoing security threats from groups such as Boko Haram and other militants, making national defense a critical issue.