France gives the last military base to Chad

N’Djamena, Chad (AP) – France gave its last military base to Chad to local authorities Thursday, two months after the former French colony in Central Africa has broken its defense cooperation agreement with Paris.

Chad was a force to combat key terrorism in the region and was one of the last countries in which France has maintained a great military presence.

The French forces have been ousted in recent years in Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso after years of fighting Islamic extremists alongside regional troops. These countries have come closer to Moscow, with Russian mercenaries deployed through the Sahel, the vast expanse under the Sahara desert.

In a statement Thursday, Chad’s army announced the transfer of the French army to the local authorities of the Air Base of Sergeant Adji Kossei in the capital of Chad, N’Djamena.

France had already given its two other military bases – Faya to the north and Abeche to the east of the country – at the end of December and early January. The French army had around 1,000 people in Chad.

By announcing the end of the Cooperation Agreement for Defense with France last November, the Chadian government described the decision as a turning point for the country, which acquired independence in 1960, and declared that it would allow Chad to redefine its strategic partnerships in accordance with National Priorities.

The shadow authorities have said that the end of the Defense Agreement does not question the historical links of the countries and that it wants to maintain relations with France in other areas of common interest.

In December, Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire announced the departure of the French troops From their countries, just as Paris conceived a new strategy which would greatly reduce its permanent presence of troops in Africa.