France’s Foreign Ministry on Friday said Paris has agreed to work and implement Chad’s decision to end its defence cooperation with the country.
The ministry added that it took note of the decision by Chad to end its defence cooperation with Paris.
The statement, which came 24 hours after Chad’s government announced the decision, added that Paris had already been working on reconfiguring its African military presence for two years.
Recall that Chad’s government on Thursday said it has ended its defence cooperation agreement with France.
In a statement, Chad’s foreign ministry said the country, a key Western ally in the fight against Islamic militants in the region, wanted to fully assert its sovereignty after more than six decades of independence.
It said the decision to end the defence cooperation agreement revised in 2019 would enable it to redefine its strategic partnerships.
Chad has cooperated closely with Western nations’ military forces in the past, but it has moved closer to Russia in recent years.
“In accordance with the terms of the accord, Chad will respect the modalities of the termination including the necessary deadlines, and will collaborate with French authorities to ensure a harmonious transition,” the statement said.
