Chad’s President Mahamat Deby has announced the termination of the country’s military pact with France.
This decision comes as Chad grapples with a decade-long insurgency and seeks to assert its independence on the global stage.
Deby stated that the military pact, a relic of the colonial era, no longer aligns with Chad’s current security needs.
The country has faced significant challenges from terror groups like Boko Haram and Islamic State, despite support from France and the United States.
The termination of the French military presence in Chad follows similar developments in neighboring countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, where anti-French sentiment has grown.
This trend reflects a broader shift in the geopolitical landscape of the Sahel region, with Russia and other powers gaining influence.
While Chad remains open to international cooperation, Deby emphasized the need for a more autonomous and self-reliant military.
The decision to end the French military pact marks a significant step towards this goal.