An African country is now willing to welcome France back less than two years after ending 65 years of military ties

Following months of negotiations and diplomatic engagement, Paris and N’Djamena began restoring security cooperation, with the first French military personnel returning to Chad in April 2026 as both sides worked to redefine their relationship.

However, this time, the cooperation is expected to focus on military assistance, training and intelligence support for Chadian forces fighting armed groups in the Lake Chad Basin and responding to security threats along the country’s eastern border with Sudan.

Unlike the previous arrangement, the new framework will operate under the approval of the Chadian government and does not involve a return to the former model of a permanent French military presence or foreign control over Chadian territory.

The move comes as President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno seeks to consolidate his authority after taking power following the death of his father, Idriss Déby Itno, who maintained close ties with France and relied on Paris as a key security ally during his three-decade rule.

Several French and African media outlets have reported on the changing relationship between Paris and N’Djamena.

In June, French newspaper Le Monde described the development as a shift “from confrontation to reconciliation”, highlighting efforts by both countries to rebuild military cooperation under a more limited French role.

Before the split, France and Chad maintained one of Paris’s closest security partnerships in Africa, with France stationing hundreds of troops and operating bases such as the Sergeant Adji Kosseï base in N’Djamena as part of decades of military cooperation.

France supported successive Chadian governments, including those of former presidents Hissène Habré and Idriss Déby Itno, while French forces intervened at different points to help counter armed rebellions and regional security threats.

The relationship remained close under Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, who took power in 2021 after the death of his father, Idriss Déby.

France backed the transition led by the younger Déby, saying stability was necessary, although critics accused Paris of maintaining influence over Chad’s political affairs.

Unlike Niger, where France had major economic interests linked to uranium mining, or Mali, where Paris maintained a major counterterrorism presence before withdrawing, Chad’s relationship with France has largely centred on security cooperation rather than mineral resources.

However, despite the long security partnership, relations deteriorated after Chad ended its defence agreement with France in late November 2024, forcing Paris to withdraw about 1,000 troops and ending 65 years of continuous French military deployment in the country.

Following the withdrawal, both governments began efforts to repair relations and redefine their security cooperation.

In January 2026, French President Emmanuel Macron invited Chadian President Mahamat Déby to Paris as both countries sought to improve ties.

The invitation was delivered by France’s ambassador to Chad, Éric Gérard, during a meeting at the presidential palace in N’Djamena.

Chad’s presidency confirmed that Déby accepted the invitation but did not announce a date for the visit.

During the meeting, Gérard and Déby discussed areas of mutual interest within the long-standing partnership between the two countries.

The French ambassador said the relationship had entered a new phase that required both countries to adjust their cooperation to changing global conditions.

“The partnership is now entering a new phase that calls for renewal, revitalisation and adaptation to changing global dynamics,” Gérard said. “This process should be guided by consultation and respect for the interests of both countries.”

Notably, Chad’s return to military cooperation with France appears driven partly by convenience, although N’Djamena is pursuing the renewed partnership on its own terms after its search for alternative security partners following the French withdrawal faced challenges.

Following France’s exit, the West African country explored closer military cooperation with Russia, Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). However, those partnerships encountered difficulties, according to reports.

Russia’s Africa Corps struggled to convince Chadian authorities after its forces failed to suppress insurgencies in Mali.

Meanwhile, Chad considered Turkish-made ANKA-S and Aksungur drones supplied by Turkish Aerospace Industries, but the systems were reportedly too expensive for N’Djamena to operate.

Relations with the UAE also became more complicated after allegations that Abu Dhabi supported Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) through facilities in Chad, which shares a long border with Sudan, although the UAE has denied supporting the group.

While the partnership has not been officially restored under a new defence agreement, the renewed France-Chad cooperation is expected to prioritise intelligence gathering, medical evacuation and air support.

The arrangement gives Chad access to military capabilities needed to respond to security threats in the Lake Chad Basin and along its border with Sudan.

Meanwhile, maintaining security ties with Chad helps France preserve its strategic influence in Central Africa and reinforce its role as a global power with interests beyond its immediate borders

The two countries have also discussed possible French military equipment purchases, including helicopters and aircraft, as Chad works to expand its defence capabilities.