US quietly reopens talks with Chad amid challenges in Africa posture

The United States has resumed discussions regarding its military presence in Chad, following concerns from the Chadian government about the future of their security partnership. 

Recent visits by senior officials from the State and Defence departments in N’Djamena have focused on reevaluating their military arrangements, particularly in light of Chadian requests to renegotiate the terms of US military access to its territories, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

These talks come at a sensitive time, especially after Niger's government effectively ordered the withdrawal of US forces from its territory earlier this month, leading the US to relinquish control of a significant military base to the Nigerien junta. 

Niger was once a vital ally in countering terrorism in the Sahel region, a relationship that the US does not enjoy with Chad, where a unit of around 75 special operations forces was recently withdrawn following Chad’s request.

A senior US defence official stated that the US will focus on rebuilding its relationship with Chad by aligning its objectives with those of the Chadian government, noting that African partners are seeking to take the lead in their security matters rather than follow US directives as in previous years.

US military officials hinted at a new presence that may not mirror the previous levels of engagement, with hopes for improved talks following the Chadian presidential election, which ended in May.

The recent trips by high-ranking officials, including the acting head of political affairs and the top military officer for West Africa, are part of efforts to maintain a dialogue amid internal pressures and a lack of a cohesive US policy in West Africa.

While the US Africa Command confirmed a small contingent of American personnel remains in Chad for counterterrorism support, concerns about a rising threat in the Sahel persist.

Statistics indicate that global terrorist-related deaths in the region have surged significantly in recent years, although US officials believe the jihadist threat does not directly endanger US homeland security.

Commentators suggest that the US needs to reconsider the necessity of its military footprint in the region, questioning whether this level of engagement is essential in light of evolving local dynamics and the changing nature of security challenges.