(Ecofin Agency) - After Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, Chad has now announced the end of its military agreements with its long-time ally, France. Paris has 1,000 troops stationed in Chad, and their future will likely be discussed in the coming days.

On the night of November 28, Chad announced its decision to terminate military agreements with France. The move, framed as an assertion of sovereignty, represents a historic shift in the relationship between Paris and its last strategic ally in the Sahel.

According to Chad’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abderaman Koulamallah, this decision underscores the country's determination to redefine its strategic partnerships. "After 66 years of independence, it is time to assert our full and complete sovereignty," Koulamallah stated in an official communiqué. While Chad expressed a willingness to maintain constructive relations with France in other areas, the military split presents a significant challenge for Paris.

This development adds to a series of setbacks for French diplomacy in West Africa. Following forced withdrawals from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, France now faces the loss of another critical position in the Sahel—a region it has historically dominated both militarily and diplomatically.

For decades, Chad was a key partner for France in the region. In 2021, French President Emmanuel Macron attended the funeral of Idriss Déby Itno, signaling support for the military transition led by his son, Mahamat Idriss Déby. This stance contrasted sharply with France’s approach to the juntas in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, drawing accusations of inconsistency and favoritism. Despite this historical closeness, the relationship could not be sustained.

The announcement of the military agreement's termination came less than 24 hours after a visit by France’s Foreign Minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, to Chad. Just last month, during a Francophonie summit, both nations appeared committed to strengthening their military and economic cooperation. Chad currently hosts around 1,000 French troops, marking it the last stronghold of French military presence in the Sahel.

Chad’s decision has fueled speculation about its possible alignment with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which includes Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Although Chad has not formally expressed interest in joining the alliance, the end of its military agreements with France might signal such a move. The AES countries share common challenges with Chad, including combating terrorism and reducing Western influence in their affairs.

This announcement reflects a broader trend of rejection of French military presence across Africa. Earlier on the same day, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye called for the closure of French military bases in Senegal, emphasizing national sovereignty. "Senegal is an independent and sovereign country, and sovereignty does not align with the presence of foreign military bases," the Senegalese leader stated.

For France, Chad’s decision highlights a growing shift in the Sahel. Once a cornerstone of French influence in Africa, the region is slipping further from its grasp. While some attribute this trend to the strategic influence of Russia, the reasons for this rejection of France's model in the Sahel and West Africa are far more complex.

This shift is not just about military disengagement but also reflects a deeper reevaluation of France’s diplomatic and security strategies in the region. Whether France can adapt and maintain a role in the rapidly changing Sahel remains uncertain.