Chadian Leader Announces Full Withdrawal of French Forces from Chad by January 31
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Yaounde, Jan 1 (NationPress) Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno has declared the full withdrawal of French troops from the Central African nation, scheduled for January 31.
"I applaud the departure of the initial group of French forces stationed in Chad. Additional groups will follow until the total withdrawal is completed on January 31, 2025," Deby remarked during a televised address to the nation.
He expressed his belief that this decision aligns with a common and legitimate desire of the Chadian populace.
"Every struggle for independence or sovereignty comes with its sacrifices, and we owe it to future generations, just as our ancestors made sacrifices for us to inherit a stable nation," the Chadian president stated.
Last month, France commenced the withdrawal of its troops from Chad, with several fighter jets departing from a French base located in the Chadian capital, N'Djamena, as reported by the Chadian military.
The Chadian army indicated that the public would be updated on each phase of the withdrawal until the complete exit of all French forces.
In November, Chad announced the termination of the security and defense cooperation pact with France prior to part of the French troops beginning their exit from the Central African region on December 10, according to Xinhua news agency.
Despite this transition, Chad aims to preserve positive relations with France in other areas of shared interest.
Before the withdrawal, France had approximately 1,000 soldiers stationed in Chad, as stated by French officials.
Moreover, countries like Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Senegal have also called for the exit of French military personnel.
On November 29, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye asserted that the presence of French military installations on Senegalese soil is "incompatible" with the sovereignty his government upholds, urging France to close these bases.
