On Friday, hundreds of individuals gathered in Chad to call for the withdrawal of French military forces from the nation, following the recent termination of a military agreement with France, the former colonial power.
In the capital city of N’Djamena, demonstrators shouted slogans such as “Chad for us, France out,” while some displayed signs stating, “We do not wish to see a single Frenchman in Chad.”
Last week, the Chadian government announced its decision to end the defense cooperation agreement with France, emphasizing a desire to reshape its strategic alliances in accordance with national priorities. France currently has approximately 1,000 troops stationed in Chad, although the announcement did not clarify a timeline for their departure.
Some protesters approached a military airbase where French personnel are located, demanding their exit. Others assembled outside the French embassy, where they encountered a substantial security presence from the Chadian army, which was tasked with safeguarding the embassy.
“We no longer desire the French presence in Chad,” stated Dr. Hissein Massar, a former Minister of Public Health. “This protest will conclude only when the French leave Chad,” he added.
Chad remains one of the last nations in the region with a notable French military presence, having seen France’s influence diminish in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso in recent years, following extensive efforts to combat Islamic extremism alongside local forces. These countries have increasingly aligned themselves with Russia, which has introduced mercenaries into the Sahel region, located beneath the Sahara Desert.
Mahamat Deby Itno, Chad’s interim president, assumed leadership after the death of his father, who had governed for over thirty years and was killed in combat against rebels in 2021. Last year, the government announced an extension of the 18-month transitional period by an additional two years, prompting widespread protests.
Chad clarified that its decision to terminate the military agreement does not undermine its historical relationship with France and expressed a commitment to maintaining cooperation in other areas of mutual interest.
