France and Chad have signed a declaration of intent to renew defence cooperation, nearly two years after Chad ended its previous defence agreement with France and the withdrawal of French troops from the country.
The declaration was signed during President Emmanuel Macron’s meeting with President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno at the Élysée Palace on Tuesday (13 Oct).
Key developments:
- France’s Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans, Catherine Vautrin, and Chad’s Minister of the Armed Forces, Veterans and War Victims, General Issakha Maloua Djamous, signed the declaration.
- The framework covers military training, expertise, defence industry and technology, with the aim of strengthening the capabilities of Chad’s armed forces.
- Officials said the declaration establishes a renewed basis for bilateral defence cooperation, although detailed implementation measures have not yet been made public.
The declaration marks a significant shift following the end of France’s decades-long military presence in Chad, reflecting a move from a permanent troop deployment towards cooperation centred on training, technology and defence capability development.
It also comes as security challenges persist across the Sahel and neighbouring Sudan, highlighting how France and Chad are seeking to redefine their strategic partnership while adapting to a changing regional security landscape.
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