Chad and France have renewed their military cooperation agreements, with French fighter jets set to make a brief technical stop in Chad as part of joint training exercises. This development comes after a working visit by Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno to Paris in mid-October 2026, where new military cooperation agreements were signed with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron. The renewed cooperation has sparked mixed reactions, with some critics accusing Chad of compromising its sovereignty.
The renewed military cooperation between Chad and France comes amid a surge in attacks by the terrorist group Boko Haram in the Lake Chad region. In the night of October 4-5, 2026, 16 Chadian civilians were killed in Boko Haram attacks in the region. This was not an isolated incident, as 11 civilians were killed in similar attacks on September 21, 2026. The Chadian government is also facing new challenges in the Tibesti region, where clashes broke out on October 14, 2026, between the regular army and the Miski Self-Defense Committee.
The Tibesti region, which covers an area of 220,000 km², has been a longstanding source of conflict, with various groups vying for control. The region's rich gold deposits have also attracted armed groups, further complicating the security situation. Chad's security challenges are further compounded by the humanitarian and security repercussions of the Sudanese conflict in eastern Chad and the activities of jihadist groups in the Sahel.
The Sahel region has become a critical area of geopolitical competition, with various global powers seeking to expand their influence. A recent study by the Policy Center for the New South noted that the Sahel is experiencing a reconfiguration of external alliances, with countries seeking to diversify their partnerships and break free from traditional dependencies. Chad's renewed military cooperation with France can be seen in this context, as the country seeks to bolster its security capabilities.
France's renewed engagement with Chad is also driven by its own strategic interests, as the country seeks to maintain a presence in a region critical to its security. The French military had previously withdrawn from Chad in January 2024, but the current security situation has led to a reevaluation of its priorities. France is not the only global power active in the region, as Russia, China, the United States, and Turkey are also seeking to expand their influence.
The renewed military cooperation between Chad and France has raised concerns about the potential for a renewed French military presence in the region. A Chadian official has suggested that a return of French troops is possible if the government requests it. However, the details of the renewed cooperation are still being finalized, and it remains to be seen how the agreement will be implemented.
The security situation in the Sahel region is likely to continue to deteriorate, with various groups seeking to exploit the instability for their own gain. Chad's renewed military cooperation with France is a pragmatic response to these challenges, but it also raises questions about the country's sovereignty and its relationships with other global powers. The coming months will be critical in determining the trajectory of Chad's security situation and its relationships with international partners.
Key points
- Chad and France have renewed their military cooperation agreements amid a surge in attacks by Boko Haram and other security challenges in the region.
- The renewed cooperation has sparked concerns about Chad's sovereignty and its relationships with other global powers.
- The Sahel region has become a critical area of geopolitical competition, with various global powers seeking to expand their influence.
