Less than two years after France withdrew its last troops and handed back its military bases in Chad, the two countries appear to be moving towards renewed military cooperation.
Chad, which ended its defence cooperation agreement with France in late 2024 after 65 years of military partnership, has begun rebuilding ties with its former colonial power amid growing security challenges.
Before the agreement was terminated, France had about 1,000 troops stationed in Chad, providing intelligence, logistical support and other assistance to the Chadian military.
The Chadian government said the decision to end the pact was necessary to enable the country to “assert its full sovereignty” and pursue a more independent defence policy.
However, Chad has since faced difficulties in diversifying its military partnerships while confronting a range of security threats, including the continued activities of Boko Haram around the Lake Chad basin and attacks linked to the MPRD rebel group in Moyen Chari province.
The renewed military engagement also holds strategic significance for France, which views Chad as an important foothold for projecting influence across Central Africa and the wider Sahel following the withdrawal of French forces from several countries in the region.
The rapprochement, however, could carry political risks for President Mahamat Idriss Déby, particularly as his government has sought to promote an anti-colonial message and appeal to younger Chadians increasingly sceptical of France’s military presence in Africa.
It could also complicate Chad’s relations with neighbouring countries that have moved to reduce or sever their own military ties with France.
The apparent return of French military cooperation therefore marks a significant shift from Chad’s sovereignty-driven decision to end the decades-old defence partnership, highlighting the difficult balance between national independence, regional security and the country’s search for reliable military allies.
