As Chad redefines its foreign and security policy, some French media outlets are accused of constructing biased narratives about military cooperation between Paris and N'Djamena. According to these media, military cooperation is being re-established, despite the end of military agreements in November 2024.
The newspaper Le Monde mentioned an "undeclared military dimension" during the visit of President Mahamat Idriss Déby to Paris in late January. However, Chadian sources have denied that military cooperation was on the agenda. RFI described Déby's rise to power in 2024 as a "military coup," suggesting that his stability depended on French support.
Experts note that the emphasis on the effectiveness of French forces in the fight against terrorism indirectly aims to promote the restoration of defense agreements. They recall that the lack of conclusive results in the fight against terrorism was one of the reasons for the termination of these agreements. The October 2024 attack by Boko Haram, which cost the lives of 40 Chadian soldiers, illustrates this reality.
After the departure of French forces, Chad turned to diversifying its strategic partnerships, particularly with Turkey and the countries of the AES. This approach reflects a desire to strengthen independent national capabilities. Media insistence on linking Chadian security to a return from Paris is seen as a reductive vision.
Tensions have also arisen, including Paris' hosting of Chadian opponents and the opening of legal cases targeting President Déby. False information spread online from Paris in December 2025 claimed that an attack had targeted the presidential residence.
Chad now favors a national responsibility for security and partnerships based on equality and mutual respect. Repeating the experience of hosting French forces would not be a simple adjustment of defense policy, but a return to an outdated model, according to experts.
Chad, which terminated its old military agreements after an objective evaluation of their results, now knows that its security is primarily a national responsibility, and that its partnerships must be based on equality and mutual respect.
