Demonstrations in N’Djamena against the French military presence

Growing mobilization in N’Djamena

On Friday, several hundred protesters, mostly young people, gathered near the N’Djari stadium in N’Djamena, the capital of Chad. Under slogans such as “Chad hurray, France barra” , the protesters demanded the termination of military agreements with France, as recently announced by the Chadian government.

The rally, which included between 300 and 500 people , was attended by public figures such as Abdel Daim Abdallah Ousmane, secretary general of the Higher Council for Islamic Affairs. He said that Chad was capable of defending its territory without the help of French troops, while specifying that this demonstration did not express hostility towards France.

Limited but significant demonstrations

Although the authorities allowed gatherings in stadiums, they banned street protests. This did not prevent small groups from gathering elsewhere in the city. In addition, a similar demonstration took place in Abéché, encouraged by local authorities, marking a turning point in relations between Chad and France.

A historic breach of military agreements

Chad officially announced on November 28 that it was ending its colonial-era defense agreements. The move comes as France has been forced to withdraw its troops from other countries in the region, including Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.

A special commission has been set up to organize the implementation of this break, described as a “historic mission” by the Chadian government. This announcement echoes similar movements in other African countries, such as Senegal, where calls for the closure of French bases are being heard.

Complex political and security context

Chad has been undergoing a political transition since the coup that brought General Mahamat Idriss Déby to power in 2020, followed by a controversial presidential election.

At the same time, the country is facing:

• Boko Haram attacks in the northwest.
• A massive influx of refugees fleeing conflict in neighbouring Sudan.
• The consequences of a catastrophic rainy season, which displaced more than 2 million people .

Conclusion: A Franco-Chadian relationship in question

The departure of French troops from Chad marks a new stage in France’s redeployment in Africa. Chad’s security and political issues, combined with a rise in sovereignist sentiment, pose major challenges for future cooperation between Paris and N’Djamena.