France Begins Military Withdrawal from Chad with Handover of First Base Ahead of Upcoming Elections

France Begins Military Withdrawal from Chad with Handover of First Base Ahead of Upcoming Elections

France has officially handed over its first military base in Chad, marking the beginning of the planned withdrawal of French military forces from the country, according to statements from both the French and Chadian militaries. The base, located in Faya-Largeau in northern Chad, was transferred to Chadian control on Thursday, as part of a broader effort to scale down France’s military presence in the region.

The chief of Chadian military staff confirmed the handover, stating that French forces had vacated the base as per the agreed-upon schedule. Additionally, he mentioned that the Chadian army would keep the public informed about the progress of the French withdrawal from other key military installations, including the base in the eastern city of Abeche and the capital, N’Djamena. French troops had previously numbered around 1,000 personnel stationed at various locations across Chad. According to reports, French soldiers left Faya-Largeau in vehicles heading toward N’Djamena, approximately 780 kilometers (480 miles) to the south, but the exact number of troops involved in the transfer was not disclosed.

The French military’s chief of staff confirmed that the base handover took place “in accordance with the calendar and the conditions agreed with Chad,” signaling a coordinated and planned exit. This handover is a key part of the broader military withdrawal, which was initiated following Chad’s decision last month to end its military cooperation with France.

The withdrawal began in earnest on Friday, with the departure of French warplanes, signaling the commencement of the pullback of France’s counterterrorism forces. The move comes amid significant political transitions in Chad, as the country is set to hold parliamentary and local elections on Sunday. The elections, scheduled against the backdrop of France’s military withdrawal, are a critical step in Chad’s ongoing efforts to reshape its political landscape, following years of instability and military-led governance.

The French military’s presence in Chad had been a key part of France’s regional counterterrorism operations in the Sahel, particularly aimed at combating groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. The decision to reduce French forces in Chad comes after increased tensions between the two nations, following the death of former President Idriss Déby in 2021 and the subsequent military transition under his son, Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno. Despite the end of military cooperation, both countries have expressed a desire to maintain diplomatic relations, although the future of France’s military involvement in the region remains uncertain.

Comments

No comments yet. Why don’t you start the discussion?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *