UPDATE - France ‘takes note’ of Chad's decision to end military cooperation

​​​​​​​ADDS DETAILS, CHANGES DECK, LEDE

By James Tasamba

KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) - The French Foreign Ministry said Friday it had "taken note" of Chad’s decision to end an agreement with Paris to strengthen the cooperation in security and defense between the two nations.

Chad, which currently hosts roughly 1,000 French soldiers, announced it terminated the agreement with France on Thursday.

“For nearly two years France has been thinking about the reconfiguration of its military postures in Africa,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement, adding that “in this context a close dialogue is being conducted with the Chadian authorities, who expressed their wish to see the security and defense partnership redefined.”

Chad’s Foreign Ministry said the decision was informed by the country’s desire to redefine its strategic partnerships.

“The Government of the Republic of Chad informs national and international opinion of its decision to terminate the defense cooperation agreement signed with the French Republic,” a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry said.

The statement, signed by Foreign Minister Abderaman Koulamallah, said after six decades of independence, it is time for the country to “assert its full sovereignty and to redefine its strategic partnerships according to national priorities.”

It said the decision to terminate the agreement, which was revised in September 2019, was in no way indicative of a deterioration of the historical relations and bonds of friendship between the two nations.

Chad “remains determined to maintain constructive relations with France in other areas of common interest, for the benefit of both peoples.”

Authorities promised to respect the modalities provided for in the provisions of the agreement, including the notice period, and to collaborate with French authorities to ensure a smooth transition.

The decision was announced as French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot visited the West African country.

Barrot, who arrived in the capital N'Djamena on Wednesday, held talks with Chad’s President Mahamat Idriss Deby on Thursday.

Their discussions focused in particular on the humanitarian emergency in the east of the country resulting from an influx of Sudanese refugees fleeing the war in their country, the Sudanese crisis, and prospects for bilateral cooperation, the president’s office said in a statement.

Chad joins other Sahel countries including Niger and Mali in ending security and defense partnerships with their former colonial masters.

In August 2023 in the aftermath of the ouster of elected President Mohamed Bazoum, Niger’s military leaders announced the scrapping of military agreements with France as they looked more towards Russia for defense cooperation.

This came after Mali’s junta in 2022 announced the same decision to break off from defense agreements with France.

Meanwhile, Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has told French media he seeks to end the presence of French troops in his country.

There are currently 350 French soldiers in the West African nation.