France will have to remove its military bases in Chad following the Chad government’s announcement that it is canceling its military cooperation agreement with Paris. In the last two years, France has been forced to withdraw its troops from three other Sahel countries, Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, TASS reported coverage from Agence France-Presse (AFP).
“The government of the Republic of Chad informs the public about the decision to sever the agreement on cooperation in defense with the French Republic,” said Abderaman Koulamallah, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, African Integration and the Affairs of Chadians Abroad, on Nov. 28. He spoke after a meeting in N’Djamena with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot. Koulamallah called France “an essential partner” but added it “must now also consider that Chad has grown up, matured and is a sovereign state that is very jealous of its sovereignty.”
France’s two bases in Chad are said to be its most important bases in Africa. In an April 18 letter, Chad notified the United States of the intent to sever their military agreement. The letter said that all American troops must withdraw from the military base in N’Djamena.
