Zina’s Youth View on Africa
Chad terminates defense cooperation with France
Chadian authorities indicated that it would end a key defense agreement with France to take full control of its sovereignty.
About 1,000 French troops are in Chad providing intelligence and logistical assistance. The West had been a partner to countries in the West African Sahel in the fight against Islamist militants in the region.
Chad is a key partner in the West’s fight against Islamist militants in the region, but after the junta returned, anti-West sentiments grew, and the UN, US, and French forces have been forced to leave.
Chad will be the next country to have its military sever ties with France after Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger did to form the Alliance of Sahelian States as they shift their alliance towards Russia.
In October, Chad’s president raised concern over the effectiveness of the Multinational Joint Task Force in countering insurgent threats in the Lake Chad region, following an attack that killed 40 Chadian soldiers.
And so what?
The conflict in Sudan, coupled with the porous border, would make it difficult for one state to tackle extremist activities, as it would need collaboration to end the instability in the region.
France and the US could not counter instability in the Sahel; aligning with Russia alone also would not be able to solve the instability in the region.
The conflict in Sudan, coupled with the porous border, would make it difficult for one state to tackle extremist activities, as it would need collaboration to end the instability in the region.
Ending the military agreement with France means that leaders must work extra to get a security presence across Chad to prevent any attack.
Godfred Zina is a freelance journalist and an associate with DefSEC Analytics Africa – a consulting agency specializing in the provision of accurate data and assessments on security, politics, investment, trade, and other risks within Africa. He is based in Accra, Ghana.