France has officially commenced the withdrawal of its military forces from Chad, marking a significant shift in its strategic presence in Africa.
This development follows Chad's abrupt decision last month to terminate its longstanding military cooperation with France, a move that has reshaped the dynamics of regional security.
The French defense ministry confirmed on Friday that a contingent of 120 soldiers has already departed from N'Djamena, the Chadian capital, aboard an Airbus A330 Phoenix MRTT, heading back to France.
This withdrawal comes just ten days after French fighter aircraft permanently left the Sahel region, signaling the end of France's military operations in Chad.
Chad had been a crucial ally for France, serving as its last stronghold in the Sahel following forced exits from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger due to a series of military coups.
The French army, which maintained approximately 1,000 personnel in Chad, has not yet issued a public statement regarding the withdrawal.
However, the departure was conducted in the presence of Chadian military authorities, underscoring the historical cooperation between the two nations.
A statement from the French defense ministry highlighted the significance of this event: "At midday, 120 French soldiers took off from the military airport of N'Djamena, marking the end of an era of intense cooperation in the field of security."
Comments