French Military Base Handed Over to Chadian Army Amid Shifting Defense Relations
French Soldiers in the Chadian Base Photo: @elpais
December 26, 2024 Hour: 6:58 pm
In a significant development following the termination of its defense cooperation agreement with France, Chad has officially taken control of a French military base in Faya. This handover comes less than a month after N’Djamena announced the end of the pact, which had allowed for approximately 1,000 French troops to operate in the Central African nation.
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According to local sources, French troops vacated the base and are now en route to the capital, located about 780 kilometers southwest. They are expected to return to France in the coming weeks. A French military official confirmed that the handover was conducted according to a pre-arranged schedule with Chadian authorities.
Chad’s Foreign Minister previously articulated that the decision to end the defense agreement was motivated by a desire for the country to “assert its full sovereignty.” The transition of military control comes at a critical time, just days before Chad is set to hold legislative, provincial, and local elections.
Officials in Chad have indicated that they will keep the public informed regarding additional military bases that may be handed over as part of this ongoing transition. The shift marks a notable change in Chad’s defense posture and reflects broader regional dynamics as countries reassess their security partnerships.
As Chad prepares for its upcoming elections amidst these changes, questions remain about how this transition will impact national security and stability in a region that has faced numerous challenges related to insurgency and political unrest.
Autor: OSG
Fuente: EFE-Africanews
