Chad and France seek to rebuild Military ties

Chad and France have signed a document outlining plans to strengthen defence cooperation, signalling a further improvement in relations nearly two years after N’Djamena ended its military agreement with Paris and French troops withdrew from the Central African country.

The document was signed on Tuesday at the Élysée Palace in Paris by the two countries’ defence ministers, in the presence of Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby and French President Emmanuel Macron.

Déby was in France on a working visit as the two leaders seek to rebuild ties following a major setback in their longstanding security partnership.

The full details of the document have not been made public.

However, Chad’s presidency said it would help the country strengthen its capacity to produce military equipment.

Macron described the move as a new step towards building relations based on mutual respect.

The agreement does not provide for the return of French troops to Chad and is not a new military pact, according to the information provided about the document.

Its focus appears to be on developing defence cooperation without restoring the previous military arrangements.

Chad ended its defence cooperation agreement with France in November 2024, marking a significant turning point in relations between the former colonial power and one of its key partners in the Sahel region.

The decision was followed by the withdrawal of French forces from the country.

France had maintained a substantial military presence in Chad for years, using the country as an important base for its operations across the Sahel.

Chad had also been a key partner in regional efforts to counter armed groups and Islamist militants.

The withdrawal formed part of a wider reduction in France’s military presence across parts of Africa, as several governments moved to reassess security agreements with Paris and demand greater control over their defence policies.

Since early 2026, Chad and France have made efforts to repair their relationship.

Macron and Déby have met three times in fewer than 10 months, reflecting renewed diplomatic engagement between the two governments.

The latest move suggests that both sides are seeking a more limited and mutually acceptable framework for cooperation, with an emphasis on Chad’s defence capabilities rather than an immediate return to the former French military footprint.

The declaration covers defence training, expertise, industry and technology, according to reporting by Le Monde and Tchadinfos.

It is intended to establish a framework for cooperation and help modernise Chad’s armed forces, rather than reinstate the previous defence agreement.

The renewed engagement does not necessarily mean France is returning to its former military role in Chad.

Le Monde reported that a small number of French personnel had already resumed training Chadian units during 2026, suggesting that limited cooperation was developing even before Tuesday’s declaration.

Chad’s decision to terminate the previous agreement in November 2024 came amid growing demands across the Sahel for greater national sovereignty and a reassessment of military partnerships with France.

The withdrawal of French troops was completed in January 2025, ending a military presence that had lasted nearly 70 years.

The latest declaration therefore represents a cautious attempt by both governments to rebuild a strategic relationship on different terms.

Its practical impact will depend on how the commitments are implemented, including the extent of future training, technological cooperation and support for Chad’s defence industry.