Executive Summary
Less than two years after Chad called for the withdrawal of French military forces in November 2024, French troops are slowly returning to the country under a renewed defence cooperation agreement. The reversal is significant, suggesting that Chad is confronting emerging or intensifying security threats that it has been unable to address independently, while alternative defence partnerships have failed to provide an adequate substitute for French military support. Although renewed cooperation offers potential benefits to both countries in countering extremist and terrorist groups, the return of French forces also carries significant political and security risks for both Chad and France.
Key Facts & Figures
- Prior to the termination of the defence agreement, France had around 1,000 military personnel stationed across Chad, where it was able to conduct counter-terrorism operations, intelligence-gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), and give logistical, training and air support to the Chadian army.
- Following the rise of anti-French sentiments across the Sahel region, N’Djamena announced in November 2024 that it would be ceasing its defence cooperation with France.
- By January 2025, France had handed over the three military bases it held in Chad, located in the capital, N’Djamena, Abéché and Faya-Largeau.
Background & Context
From 1900 to 1960, Chad was a French colony. When Chad gained independence in 1960, it maintained strong economic ties with France, and France retained a strong military presence in the country, where it has, during the late 20th and early 21st centuries, taken part in several counter-terrorism operations against Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), including Operation Épervier and Opération Barkhane. In November 2024, Chad was the last country in the Sahel region to end its defence cooperation agreement with France. Following the departure of French troops from Chad, N’Djamena attempted to build new defence partnerships with other countries, such as Russia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Turkey, but these efforts ran into difficulties. According to Le Monde, Chad rejected these partnerships because Turkey’s equipment was too expensive to operate, Russia had failed in Mali, and the UAE had supported the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan’s civil war.
Current Status & Trends
- While the French military is returning to Chad after a period of absence, this return will be different, with no permanent French bases set up in the country and with a defined focus and scope within which it can operate. France is set to provide limited intelligence support and training to Chadian troops. Fewer French personnel will be deployed to Chad, with the latter having a greater influence over decision-making.
- France stands to gain from resuming military cooperation with Chad, with Chad’s geographic position in France’s fight against terrorism as its biggest advantage.
- However, a French return to Chad — even a scaled-back one — could likely present risks for both countries. For Chad, this could mean jeopardising its diplomatic relations with other countries of the Sahel region that have ousted France from their territory and opted for alternative partnerships. Likewise, the anti-French sentiment among the Chadian population that provoked the initial withdrawal has not disappeared, with some likely not to view this return as advantageous, adding pressure against the decision. France also runs the risk of its return being perceived as ‘recolonisation’ and ‘regional destabilisation’ by the Chadian population and other inhabitants of the region.
- There has been no official confirmation from either France or Chad as to the nature of the return of French troops. Analysts from the Africa Defense Forum reported that small numbers of French military personnel have already returned to Chad, but both countries have been keeping their new defence agreement quiet.