Paris, December 29, 2024 – The Europe Today: France has handed over its first military base in Chad as part of the ongoing withdrawal of French forces, according to statements by the French and Chadian militaries on Thursday.
Chad’s military chief of staff announced that the base at Faya-Largeau, located in the northern region of the country, has been officially handed over. Updates regarding the withdrawal of French troops from bases in Abeche in the east and the capital, N’Djamena, will follow soon.
French troops reportedly departed the Faya-Largeau base in vehicles, heading for the capital, N’Djamena, approximately 780 kilometers to the south, though exact numbers were not disclosed.
“The handover was conducted in line with the agreed timeline and conditions,” stated the French military chief of staff.
Last month, Chad abruptly ended military cooperation with France, prompting French troops to begin leaving the country. This process started ten days after French warplanes departed and has intensified as Chad prepares for parliamentary and local elections on Sunday.
Prior to the withdrawal, the French army had around 1,000 personnel stationed in Chad. On Thursday, an Antonov 124 cargo plane carried 70 tonnes of military equipment as part of the departure. French authorities added that the remaining military vehicles are expected to leave by January and will be repatriated via the Cameroonian port of Douala.
