On 13 October 2026, Emmanuel Macron and Mahamat Idriss Déby took a decisive step in the Franco-Chadian rapprochement by signing a declaration of intent on defence cooperation. This move comes after the withdrawal of French troops from Chad and a series of ruptures with several Sahelian states, giving concrete form to the shared determination of Paris and N’Djamena to rebuild their partnership. The accusations made by Niger following the events of 28–29 August add a sensitive dimension to this regional realignment.
A new phase in the Franco-Chadian relationship
The relationship between France and Chad is entering a new chapter. On Tuesday 13 October 2026, Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby was received at the Élysée Palace by Emmanuel Macron for a meeting that formally restored relations between the two countries. At the end of the talks, the defence ministers of both states signed a declaration of intent designed to structure and develop their cooperation in the defence field.
This announcement comes nearly two years after N’Djamena’s decision in November 2024 to terminate the military cooperation agreement with France. The withdrawal of French forces and the handover of their bases, completed in early 2025, ended France’s permanent military presence in Chad, which had been the strategic hub for French operations in Africa.
Shaping a new partnership after the withdrawal
The declaration of 13 October establishes a cooperation framework focused on training, expertise, industry and technology, with the aim of directly boosting the capabilities of the Chadian armed forces.
For Paris, this development is part of the broader redefinition of its African partnerships, following military departures from Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. These ruptures reduced France’s footprint in the Sahel and signalled the end of a cooperation model based on permanent military deployments.
Chad is a central partner. Its geographic position—close to war-torn Sudan, Libya and the Lake Chad basin—places it at the heart of security challenges. Border surveillance, the fight against armed groups and the strengthening of its army’s operational capabilities are the pillars that give this cooperation a regional scope.
The resumption of dialogue with N’Djamena marks the adoption of a new formula, based on needs defined by the Chadian authorities and on strict bilateral cooperation.
Niger: a delicate diplomatic equation
This revival comes amid regional tensions between Paris and Niamey. On the night of 28–29 August 2026, an orchestrated destabilisation attempt took place in Niamey, particularly around Air Base 101.
The Nigerien government implicated France and several foreign actors, including Chad, in the attempted mutiny. Paris rejected these claims.
The geographic proximity between Chad and Niger gives this affair particular significance. Both countries share concerns about regional security, but their diplomatic orientations and relations with external partners differ.
Under these conditions, the rapprochement between Paris and N’Djamena is drawing attention from Nigerien authorities. The Franco-Chadian declaration defines exclusively the bilateral framework between Paris and N’Djamena.
The goal is to structure cooperative relations in a region where military presence is a major political issue and where governments apply strict autonomy in their strategic choices.
Beyond defence: the development imperative
The 13 October meeting also delivered economic and cultural progress. The two presidents committed to developing their relations for the benefit of businesses and populations. This orientation gives substance to the rapprochement dynamic that began during 2026, after several months of bilateral tensions.
The economic component consolidates the relationship, particularly in key sectors: infrastructure, energy, health, transport and education. For both governments, the priority is to move beyond a cooperation historically dominated by military issues and to give a central place to investment and trade.
This ambition responds to major challenges. In Chad, development, employment and public services needs are paramount. At the same time, conflicts in neighbouring countries affect stability and available resources. Security cooperation is therefore accompanied by direct actions addressing the needs of populations.
A test for French diplomacy in the Sahel
The declaration of intent signed in Paris constitutes a major political step, followed by precise commitments in training, expertise transfers, technological cooperation and operational support.
For Emmanuel Macron, the repositioning consists of rebuilding the relationship with Chad in a renewed form. For Mahamat Idriss Déby, it is about strengthening his country’s capabilities while retaining full control over its strategic choices.
The Franco-Chadian rapprochement materialises the redeployment and redefinition of France’s role in a region where diplomatic and security balances are shifting.
After military withdrawals and past tensions, Paris and N’Djamena are starting afresh. This renewed partnership reconciles the interests of both states, meets regional security demands and asserts itself amid the diplomatic tensions crisscrossing the Sahel.
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