France begins military withdrawal from Chad

French military aircraft have started their withdrawal from the Republic of Chad, the country's army said.

A contingent of French fighter jets, which had been stationed in Chad for many years, left N'Djamena on December 10, Caliber.Az reports per French media.

Two Mirage 2000D aircraft, accompanied by a tanker plane, took off at around 1:30 p.m. local time (12:30 p.m. GMT).

A source stated that the presence of the French military in the country was no longer justified since the defence agreement had been canceled.

Chad had been a crucial link in France's military presence in Africa, serving as its last stronghold in the Sahel region after France was forced to withdraw its troops from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger following a series of military coups. However, on November 28, Chad announced its decision to terminate a defense agreement with France, which had been in place since the country's independence in 1960. At the time, France had about 1,000 troops stationed in Chad.

Since 2022, France has been withdrawing its forces from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger after the military takeovers in those countries, which have shifted their alliances toward Russia. Chad’s leader, General Mahamat Idriss Déby, has also sought closer relations with Moscow in recent months, though discussions aimed at strengthening economic ties have yet to yield tangible results.

Despite these political shifts, Chad continues to face significant threats from Boko Haram and other militant groups.

By Vafa Guliyeva