The French military officially withdrew from the Abeche military base in eastern Chad, marking another significant step in the ongoing reduction of France’s military presence in the region. The handover ceremony took place with the participation of Chadian Defense Minister Issakha Maloua Djamous, as well as various military and civilian officials, according to reports from the Alwihda Info news portal.
The move comes after the Chadian government announced in late November 2024 its decision to terminate its defense cooperation with France. Foreign Minister Abderaman Koulamallah confirmed the decision in an interview with Le Monde, stating that France should pull out its military forces from the country. The Chadian government’s stance was reportedly influenced by a growing divergence in opinions between the two nations regarding the civil conflict in Sudan. This shift in policy is part of broader regional dynamics, as other African leaders, such as Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, have expressed opposition to the presence of French military bases, viewing them as incompatible with national sovereignty.
The withdrawal of French forces is not an isolated event. Earlier in December 2024, France had already removed a contingent of 120 soldiers from Chad, and in a similar move, it handed over the Faya military base in northern Chad to the Chadian army by the end of 2024. These actions are part of a larger trend, as France continues to scale down its military operations in Africa. The French military had been a significant presence in Africa’s Sahel region since 2014 as part of Operation Barkhane, aimed at combating terrorism. However, following the withdrawal from Mali in 2022, and subsequent troop pullbacks from Burkina Faso and Niger in 2023 at the request of their respective coup-led governments, France has been adjusting its military footprint in Africa.
The ongoing withdrawal is a clear indication of the shifting security landscape in the Sahel and beyond, where local governments are asserting greater control over their national security affairs. As France reduces its military involvement, there are growing calls across the region for a more African-led approach to security and defense cooperation.
