Chad and Senegal Seek Sovereignty in Defense Policies

Chad has announced its intention to terminate its security and defense agreements with France, marking a significant shift in its international alliances. This decision, articulated by Chad's Foreign Minister Abderaman Koulamallah, is seen as a move towards asserting national sovereignty and redefining strategic partnerships based on national priorities. Despite this major decision, Chad emphasizes that it does not intend to sever ties with France entirely, but instead seeks a renewed partnership.

This move follows similar actions by other Sahel countries, such as Mali and Burkina Faso, which have distanced themselves from France post-military coups and shifted their affiliations towards Russia. France, in response, has withdrawn its troops from these nations. Chad, however, remains one of the last regional allies of France, although specifics about the withdrawal of French troops from Chad have not been disclosed.

In a parallel development, Senegal, another former French colony, has also declared the closure of French military bases on its soil. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye emphasized that Senegal’s independence is incompatible with the presence of foreign military bases. Like Chad, Senegal seeks to maintain a cooperative relationship with France, aspiring to build new partnerships globally.

These announcements occur amidst a broader context of France scaling back its military presence in Africa, with plans to reduce troop numbers further. Both Chad and Senegal's recent declarations highlight a growing trend among African nations to re-evaluate and assert control over their defense strategies, reflecting a broader desire for sovereignty and self-determination in the post-colonial era.