Chad is ending security and defense cooperation agreements with France, the Chadian Minister of Foreign Affairs announced on Thursday, November 28, a few hours after the visit of his French counterpart, Jean-Noël Barrot.
“The government of the Republic of Chad informs national and international opinion of its decision to terminate the defense cooperation agreement signed with the French Republic”Abderaman Koulamallah said in a statement posted on the ministry’s official Facebook page.
The French minister, who arrived in Ethiopia on Thursday afternoon, could not immediately be reached to react to this information.
“Chad has grown up.”
“This is not a break with France like with Niger or other countries”However, the Chadian minister contacted by telephone told Agence France-Presse.
“This decision, made after an in-depth analysis, marks a historic turning point. Indeed, after 66 years of the proclamation of the Republic of Chad, it is time for Chad to assert its full sovereignty and redefine its strategic partnerships in accordance with national priorities.explained in the press release.
During a press conference in N’Djamena, following an interview between President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno and the head of French diplomacy, Koulamallah concluded by asking France to “Let’s now consider that Chad has grown, he has matured” and so? “Chad is a sovereign State and very jealous of its sovereignty” not to mention the termination of these cooperation agreements.
