France Hands Over First Base in Chad As Military Relationship Ends With It’s Former Colony.
France Hands Over First Base in Chad As Military Relationship Ends With It’s Former Colony. Picture courtesy: Al jazeera
(The Post News)- Chad’s military chief of staff said the base at Faya-Largeau in the north of the country has been handed over and that the public will be informed about progress concerning the withdrawal of French forces from bases in Abeche and the capital N’Djamena.
This move is in accordance with Chad’s decision to terminate military cooperation with its former colonial power last month.
Foreign Minister Abderaman Koulamallah called France “an essential partner” but said it “must now also consider that Chad has grown up, matured and is a sovereign state that is very jealous of its sovereignty”.
In the past, Chad has cooperated closely with the military forces of Western Nations, however, in the most recent years has moved closer to Russian forces.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the decision to terminate the military deal would enable Chad to redefine its strategic partnerships.
France has agreed to the terms of the ending military relationship with Chad as an Antonov 124 took off on Thursday with 70 tonnes of cargo as part of the withdrawal.
“The handover took place in accordance with the calendar and the conditions agreed with Chad,” said the French military Chief of Staff.
“France has been holding nearly two years of talks and reflection with our partners on the reconfiguration of our military presence in Africa,” said French Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Christophe Lemoine.
“In that context, we have been in close dialogue with the Chadian authorities, who announced their desire to see this security and defence cooperation evolve,” he elaborated.
The French authorities reassured that military vehicles would leave by January and will return to France via the Cameroonian port of Douala.
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