France has commenced the withdrawal of its military forces from Chad, marked by the departure of two Mirage warplanes from the capital, N’Djamena. This development follows Chad’s unexpected announcement two weeks ago that it would terminate its defense cooperation pact with Paris.
Chad, a key ally of the West in combatting Islamist militants in the region, surprised many by ending the defense agreement on November 28. The specifics regarding the terms of withdrawal and the future presence of French troops in the country remain to be negotiated. However, on Tuesday, the first two Mirage fighter jets returned to their base in eastern France, signaling the start of the withdrawal process.
“This marks the beginning of the return of French equipment stationed in N’Djamena,” stated Army spokesperson Colonel Guillaume Vernet after the departure of the warplanes. The ongoing withdrawal from Chad signifies the end of decades of French military presence in the Sahel region, which has included direct operations against Islamist militants.
France has already withdrawn troops from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger in response to military coups in those West African nations and increasing anti-French sentiment. Currently, approximately 1,000 French soldiers remain stationed in Chad, but Vernet indicated that it could take several weeks for both countries to finalize a timeline for the drawdown of operations.
There is no indication that Paris was forewarned about Chad’s decision to end the defense cooperation. However, a French envoy recently presented a report to President Emmanuel Macron, outlining proposals for reducing France’s military presence in Chad, Gabon, and Ivory Coast.
As the situation evolves, the implications of these military withdrawals will be closely monitored, particularly in the context of regional security and the fight against extremist groups.
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