France starts withdrawal from Chad as longstanding military presence winds down

French military forces have begun pulling out of Chad, marking the end of a long era of defense cooperation in the region. The withdrawal process, which started with the departure of two Mirage fighter jets, follows Chad’s sudden decision to terminate its defense agreement with Paris. Although details about the timetable and the fate of remaining personnel are yet to be finalized, both sides have acknowledged that French forces will soon conclude a decades-long military presence.

This move comes on the heels of France’s withdrawal from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—actions prompted by a changing regional landscape marked by military coups and widespread anti-French sentiment. Once deeply involved in counterterrorism operations against Islamist militants in the Sahel, France’s influence in the region has waned. With foreign forces stepping back, local authorities now face the challenge of confronting extremist threats and stabilizing their security apparatus on their own terms.

For years, Chadians witnessed French troops on their soil, offering strategic support and playing a direct role in combat missions. As the jets lift off and equipment begins its long journey back to Europe, many questions linger: What will security look like without French backing? How will the government handle the enduring militant threats, and what will the future hold for a once-firm alliance now at its end?