Chadians Protest, Demanding French Troop Withdrawal Amid Rising Tensions

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Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets of N’Djamena, Chad’s capital, on Friday, calling for the immediate withdrawal of French troops. This comes just a week after the Chadian government announced the termination of a military cooperation agreement with its former colonizer, France.

Chanting slogans like “Chad for us, France out,” protesters expressed their frustration with what they see as continued foreign influence. Some carried banners reading, “We don’t want to see a single Frenchman in Chad,” underscoring their demand for complete sovereignty.


Demonstrators gathered at a French military airbase, where approximately 1,000 French troops are stationed, calling for their immediate departure. Others assembled near the French Embassy, where a heavy security presence by the Chadian military prevented any escalation.

Dr. Hissein Massar, a former Chadian Minister of Public Health and one of the protest leaders, emphasized the movement’s resolve. “We no longer want the French presence in Chad. This protest will only end when the French leave,”he declared.


The protests come in the wake of Chad’s decision to end its defense agreement with France, citing a desire to redefine strategic partnerships in alignment with national priorities. While the statement announcing the termination did not specify when French troops would leave, it marks a significant shift in Chad’s foreign relations.Chadians Protest, Demanding French Troop Withdrawal Amid Rising Tensions

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Chad is one of the last strongholds of French military influence in the Sahel, following France’s expulsion from Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso. These countries, like Chad, had long relied on French support in their fight against Islamic extremism. However, many in the region have grown critical of France’s presence, opting instead for closer ties with Russia, which has deployed mercenaries in the Sahel.


Chad’s interim president, Mahamat Deby Itno, assumed power in 2021 after his father, Idriss Deby, was killed in combat against rebels. Since then, Chad has faced political instability, including widespread protests following the government’s decision to extend an 18-month transitional period by an additional two years.

Despite the protests and the military agreement’s termination, the Chadian government has clarified that the decision does not sever historical ties with France. The government remains open to collaboration in areas of mutual interest beyond defense.


Chad’s move adds to the growing wave of anti-French sentiment across Africa, reflecting a larger shift in the continent’s geopolitical landscape. As France’s influence wanes, the Sahel is witnessing increasing Russian involvement and a reconfiguration of power dynamics.

For now, the protesters’ demands remain loud and clear: a future for Chad defined by its people, free from external military influence. Whether this marks a turning point in Chad-France relations or a temporary flare-up remains to be seen.

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