France finally concludes withdrawal of troops from Chad with base handover

France has officially completed the transfer of its second military base in Chad, signaling the final phase of its troop withdrawal from the country.

In a ceremony held Saturday, the base in Abéché, located in eastern Chad, was handed over to Chadian authorities. The event was attended by Defence Minister Issaka Malloua Djamouss, according to AFP.

This withdrawal follows Chad’s unexpected decision in November to terminate its military cooperation with France, its former colonial power. French troops began exiting the country in December, with a final withdrawal deadline set for January 31.

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“Today marks the handover of the Abeche base,” Defence Minister Issaka Djamouss stated during the ceremony.

He described the event as a pivotal step “leading to the final and total withdrawal of this army in our country.” He emphasized that the January 31 deadline for France’s departure was “imperative,” “irreversible,” and “non-negotiable.”

Around 100 French soldiers left the Abéché base on Saturday, following the departure of equipment convoys the day before. This marks the second base transfer after the Faya base in northern Chad was handed over in December, alongside the withdrawal of fighter jets and 120 soldiers earlier in the month.

French troops have been present in Chad since its independence in 1960, providing critical military training and air support, particularly in thwarting rebel movements attempting to seize power. At its peak, France maintained 1,000 personnel in Chad, making it the last Sahel nation to host French troops after similar withdrawals from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.

“Partnerships evolve, but the friendship remains between our two nations, as does the solidarity between two sovereign nations that will continue to move forward side by side as they always have,” said Fabien Talon, a representative of the French embassy, during the ceremony.

Chad, one of the world’s poorest nations, has been a key component of France’s military strategy in the Sahel. However, like other Sahel nations, Chad’s leadership has sought to strengthen ties with Russia. Discussions between the two countries have focused on economic cooperation, although no major agreements have been finalized.

President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, who assumed power in 2021 after his father’s death in combat, has described the military agreement with France as outdated and out of sync with modern political and strategic realities. He was formally elected in May 2023 after a transitional period.

France’s withdrawal also marks the conclusion of its Barkhane operation in the Sahel, where it had once deployed over 5,000 troops in a mission aimed at countering jihadist insurgencies.