An African Nation Reopens the Door to France Less Than Two Years After Ending 65 Years of Military Ties
Less than two years after bringing an end to more than six decades of French military presence, Chad is once again moving closer to Paris in what marks a significant shift in Africa’s evolving geopolitical landscape.
The renewed cooperation comes at a time when France is struggling to rebuild its influence across the continent after being forced to withdraw its troops from Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, where military-led governments severed long-standing defence partnerships with the former colonial power.
After months of diplomatic engagement and negotiations, France and Chad have begun restoring security cooperation under a completely different framework from the one that existed before. The first French military personnel returned to Chad in April 2026 after French forces were ordered to leave the country in late 2024, ending a continuous military presence that had lasted for 65 years.
Unlike previous arrangements, the new partnership is expected to be based on military assistance, specialised training, intelligence sharing, medical evacuation support and limited air operations rather than the deployment of permanent French military bases on Chadian soil. The renewed cooperation will operate entirely under the approval and authority of the Chadian government, reflecting N’Djamena’s determination to maintain greater control over its national security.
The development represents a major diplomatic turnaround after relations between the two countries deteriorated dramatically in November 2024, when Chad terminated its defence agreement with France, forcing approximately 1,000 French troops to leave the country. The withdrawal marked another significant setback for France’s military footprint in Africa following similar exits from Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.
President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, who assumed power after the death of his father, Idriss Déby Itno, appears to be recalibrating Chad’s security strategy as the country faces growing threats from armed groups operating around the Lake Chad Basin and increasing instability along its eastern border with war-torn Sudan.
For decades, France and Chad maintained one of the closest military partnerships on the African continent. French forces operated from bases in N’Djamena, including the strategically important Sergeant Adji Kosseï base, and repeatedly supported successive Chadian governments in combating rebellions, insurgencies and regional security threats.
France also remained a key ally of former President Idriss Déby Itno throughout his three-decade rule, providing military backing that helped sustain his government during several periods of instability. Following his death in 2021, Paris supported the transitional government led by his son, arguing that political stability was essential despite criticism from those who viewed France as maintaining excessive influence over Chad’s internal affairs.
The path towards reconciliation became more visible earlier this year when French President Emmanuel Macron invited President Mahamat Déby to Paris as part of efforts to rebuild bilateral relations. The invitation, delivered by France’s ambassador to Chad, Éric Gérard, underscored both countries’ willingness to redefine their partnership around mutual interests rather than the traditional model of permanent French military deployment.
French officials have described the renewed relationship as one based on consultation, adaptation and respect for the sovereignty of both nations. Several international media outlets, including Le Monde, have characterised the evolving relationship as a transition “from confrontation to reconciliation.”
Analysts believe Chad’s renewed engagement with France also reflects practical security considerations. Following the departure of French troops, N’Djamena explored alternative defence partnerships with Russia, Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates. However, those efforts reportedly faced significant challenges.
Russia’s Africa Corps reportedly struggled to convince Chadian authorities after its operations in neighbouring Mali failed to eliminate persistent insurgent threats. Meanwhile, Turkish-made ANKA-S and Aksungur drones, though technologically advanced, were considered too expensive for Chad to operate on a sustainable basis.
Relations with the United Arab Emirates also became more complicated amid allegations that Abu Dhabi supported Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces through facilities in Chad—claims the UAE has consistently denied.
Against this backdrop, France once again emerged as a practical security partner capable of providing advanced intelligence capabilities, logistical support, military training and specialised air assistance needed to confront increasingly complex regional threats.
Beyond intelligence sharing and operational support, both countries are also discussing the possible acquisition of French military equipment, including helicopters and aircraft, as Chad seeks to strengthen its defence capabilities.
For France, rebuilding security ties with Chad offers an opportunity to retain a strategic foothold in Central Africa after suffering a series of diplomatic and military setbacks across the Sahel. For Chad, the renewed partnership provides access to critical military expertise while allowing the government to maintain greater sovereignty than under previous defence arrangements.
As Africa’s geopolitical alliances continue to evolve, the renewed France-Chad partnership illustrates how security needs, regional instability and shifting diplomatic priorities are reshaping relationships between African nations and their traditional international allies.
