After more than 70 years of presence in Chad.the last batch of French soldiers packed up and left the Adji Kossei Military Base in N’Djamena before the January 31 deadline
Chad president, Mohammet Idriss Deby, at a grand ceremony attended by military top brass, government officials, traditional rulers, and thousands of cheering citizens, made it clear that Chad is fully prepared to defend its sovereignty without foreign intervention.
“Our military is capable of protecting our nation from any destabilization,” he said.
The exit of French troops from Chad follows similar ejections in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, where military juntas have turned to Russia for security partnerships. Even Senegal is reportedly negotiating a withdrawal of French forces by the end of 2025.
With France out, Chad’s military has signaled openness to new alliances. Russian military trainers have already been spotted in several Sahel nations, fueling speculation that Chad may soon formalize a defense pact with Moscow.
According to Djelassem Maïbé Adolphe, a former rebel granted amnesty by Deby, “African countries are realizing they must build their own military strength instead of relying on foreign troops.” He added that many Francophone states are pivoting towards Russia due to growing disillusionment with France’s presence in the region.
