Turkish media: France loses influence in Chad as Türkiye strengthens position

Chad has become the latest African nation to distance itself from France, officially terminating its defence cooperation agreement with Paris and demanding the full withdrawal of French troops from its territory.

The move comes as a significant geopolitical shift on the continent, Caliber.Az reports, citing the Turkish news channel Haber7.

The channel highlighted that Chad’s decision follows similar actions by Gabon and Côte d'Ivoire, which have also ended their military alliances with France, prompting Paris to reduce its military footprint in both countries.

"For France, Chad’s demand for a complete withdrawal of troops came as a total surprise," the channel wrote. "Previously, the French had planned to downsize their contingent in Chad from 1,000 to 300 soldiers, but a full withdrawal was never on the table."

Chad’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs justified the decision, emphasizing its desire to "fully achieve the nation's sovereignty." The move is part of Chad’s broader strategy to assert its independence 66 years after gaining it and to reassess its strategic partnerships in light of national priorities.

A blow to France’s influence in Africa

Analysts quoted in the report described France's departure from Chad as "a powerful blow to Paris' influence in Africa," particularly since Chad has historically been considered a "critical logistical hub" for French military operations on the continent.

The shift is part of a broader trend of African nations reducing their reliance on France, with Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye recently labeling the presence of 350 French troops in his country as "undesirable."

Türkiye's growing presence

As France's influence wanes, Türkiye has been actively expanding its presence in Africa, including Chad. In April last year, Türkiye delivered AKSUNGUR combat drones to Chad, followed by three Turkish-designed HÜRKUŞ trainer aircraft and two ANKA combat drones.

A group of 20 Chadian engineers underwent drone operation training at TUSAŞ facilities in Türkiye, and Chadian pilots and technical personnel also completed preparation programs for operating these advanced systems.

Russia and China join the race

Haber7 also underscored the growing influence of Russia and China on the continent, noting that both nations are stepping in to fill the void left by France. "While Beijing relies on economic levers, Russia prefers defence supply channels," the report stated.

With France retreating and new powers stepping up their engagement, Africa is witnessing a dramatic reshaping of its geopolitical alliances, marking a shift toward greater sovereignty and diversified partnerships for many nations.