Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in N’Djamena, the capital of Chad, to express their strong desire to see the French forces leave the country. Carrying signs demanding the departure of the French army, these young Chadians made their voices heard in support of the government’s decision to break the military agreements in place for decades. This popular movement highlights the growing desire for sovereignty and of fight against foreign influence in national affairs.
Hundreds demonstrators gathered at N’Djamena to express their support for the breaking agreements military with France. Carrying signs with slogans such as “bar France”, participants say they want to end the presence of French troops, believing they can defend their country autonomously. The authorities allowed this demonstration, which takes place in a context of decline of French influence in the region, with a recent decision by Chad to end the defense agreement established since independence in 1960. Tension is rising as the country seeks to strengthen its national sovereignty.
THE December 6, 2024, several hundred demonstrators gathered in N’Djamena, the capital of Chad, to express their wish to end the French military presence in the country. The participants, dressed in national colors, held up signs bearing messages such as “bar France” and clearly demonstrated their support for the government in its request for breakdown of military agreements with France. This popular movement aims to highlight a desire to sovereignty and independence.
The motivations behind this movement
The reasons for this popular mobilization are multiple. After more than 60 years of cooperation military with France, many Chadians, represented by Abdel daim Abdallah Ousmane, secretary general of High Council for Islamic Affairs, claim that the country now has its own army capable of defending itself. “We are not the enemies of France, but we no longer want the presence of its troops – our army is sufficient,” he declared during the demonstrations. Distrust of the former colonial power is growing stronger in the context of current geopolitical developments.
Consequences and political implications
This movement reflects a notable change in Franco-Chadian relations, which have historically been marked by military and political domination. THE Chadian government recently announced its desire to reassess the defense agreements concluded with Paris, particularly after similar events in other countries in the region, such as Mali and Burkina Faso. The revision of these agreements aims to guarantee a return to national sovereignty, while French influence weakens in the face of an increasingly assertive posture from Russia and other powers.
