France caught off guard as Chad cuts military ties with Paris

RFI

29 November 2024 at 4:03 am·1-min read

Chad's government has ended its defence cooperation pact with France, a move that will require French troops to leave the country.

Chad has ended its defence cooperation pact with France – a move that has taken France by surprise and could see French troops leave the country as the former colonial power's influence across the Sahel collapses.

The announcement made by Chad's foreign ministry could now lead to the full withdrawal of 1,000 French troops and warplanes.

It reportedly took France by surprise, with Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot – who was in Chad on Wednesday – not informed of the decision.

The move was only published on the Chadian Foreign Affairs website once Barrot was on a plane to continue his African tour in Ethiopia.

President Emmanuel Macron was not called by Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby either.

A high-ranking observer told RFI that even Déby’s inner circle appeared to have been surprised by the timing of the announcement.

Chad is 'not a slave who wants to change masters', says president

'Turmoil' in Paris

Meanwhile, the French presidency, the prime minister's office, army staff and intelligence services were reportedly in turmoil on Friday, with a crisis defence council meeting held at the Élysée Palace.

According to French diplomats traveling with Barrot, there was nothing to suggest that N'djamena would make such a major announcement.

In light of Chad's intention to have France withdraw its troops, the statement has taken on a more dramatic meaning.

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'Turmoil' in Paris

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