Why Chadian Gov’ Has Put An End To Military Cooperation Agreement, With Country’s Former Colonial Master, France

Chadian President, General Mahamat Derby Itno, explains to the media that the military cooperation agreement had become obsolete, and was bringing no added value to Chad

But there is also the issue that the Chadian President was accused of ‘Biens Mal Acquis’ in France, and this strained the relationship between the two countries.

  The Chadian Government led by General Mahamat Derby Itno, has put an end to the agreement on military cooperation between Chad and  her former colonial master, France, that was revised on September 5, 2019, to reinforce the cooperation in matters of security and defence between the two countries.  This information is contained in a press release that was issued or signed on Thursday, November 28, 2024 in the Chadian capital, N’Djamena, by Chad’s Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration, International Cooperation and Chadians Abroad, ABDERAMAN KOULAMALLAH, who doubles as Government’s Spokesperson. The reference number to the document from the Minister’s Cabinet is, No. 05 354 /MELACITE / DC / 2024, and addressed to the national and international community.

Meanwhile, the Chadian Foreign Affairs Minister and Government Spokesperson went on in the press release to state the official reason for the historic decision taken by the Chadian Government to end the military cooperation with France. An approximate translation of an excerpt of the press release reads: “This decision, taken after profound analysis, marks a historic turning point. In fact, after 66 years of the proclamation of the Republic of Chad, it is time for Chad to reaffirm her full and entire sovereignty and to redefine strategic partnerships according to national priorities”.

The Chadian Government Spokesperson, said Chad, in conformity to dispositions of the agreement, engages to respect the modalities previewed for the termination of the accord, and to collaborate with the French authorities to ensure an harmonize or smooth transition.

Constructive Relations To Continue In Other Domains

However the Chadian Government, in the press release explained that the decision to put an end to the agreement on military cooperation, between France and Chad, does not put to question the historic relationship and friendly ties between the two nations. “Chad remains determine to maintain constructive relationship with France in other domains of common interest, to the benefit of the people of the two countries”, he added.

The Spokesperson said the Government of Chad expresses gratitude to the French Republic, for the cooperation that took place within the framework of the military cooperation, and remains opens to constructive dialogue to explore new forms of partnership.

“The Military Cooperation Brought No Added Value To Chad”

Meanwhile last weekend, Chadian President, General Mahamat Derby Itno, made a 10 minute declaration to the the  national  and international media in N’Djamena, Chad, to  further explained why the Government has taken the decision to put an end to the military cooperation agreement  between  France and Chad. An accord, which he remarked, has lasted for decades.

The Chadian leader said the military cooperation agreement between France and Chad was signed in a different era by different leaders, and was done within the context of that era. “With time, the accord has become obsolete. It has become completely obsolete”, he declared. He said the accord does not thus correspond with today’s situation or today’s world. “The accord does not bring to Chad any added value in the security domain:”, he  asserted,

The Chadian President, General Mamamat Derby Itno, said the Chadian military has proven time and again, that it has the capacity and determination to alone defend Chad and the Chadian people. He said there was no reciprocity in the military cooperation agreement with France, and it was to the disadvantage of Chad. He said the agreement was full of imperfections. The President stressed that Chad is a sovereign nation, and that the decision to end the military cooperation between France and Chad, is a decision taken by the Government of Chad, to reinforce the sovereignty of Chad.

“It Is Not A Matter Of Changing One Master With Another”

The President of Chad reacted to an allegation that has been making its round, that Russia was behind the decision by the Chadian Government to put an end to the  military cooperation accord  with France. Though he avoided mentioning Russia by name, he insisted that the decision by the Chadian Government to end the military accord with France, was not a matter of “changing one master with another master”.  Rather, he said it was a matter of Chad asserting or reinforcing its sovereignty.

Chadians Were  Long  Against The Military Cooperation  Agreement 

Meanwhile as an adage goes, there is no smoke without fire. And so a number of things that have happened in recent months, is behind the allegation circulating that Russia is behind the decision by  the Chadian Government, to end the military cooperation agreement between France and Chad. It is true that the Chadian people in general, have for many years been against the presence of a French military base in Chad, and have been clamouring that the French military should leave.

For one thing, the Chadian people have never seen French troops that have had a military base in Chad for over 60 years, fight side – by – side Chadian troops, to help push back rebels or terrorist groups that invade Chad. The Chadian military has always fought alone. But to the common people, or ordinary Chadians, who do not know the terms of the military cooperation agreement between France and Chad, they had repeatedly questioned the reason or the ‘use’ of the French military in Chad, and insisting that they leave.

Even the Chadian Government, under General Mahamat Derby Itno, had allegedly long ben disappointment with the military cooperation agreement  between France and Chad, though the Government had continued to let it go on.

Strained Relationship Between Chad  And France

It would be recalled that when General Mahamat Derrby Itno,,  quietly staged a military takeover of power following the sudden  death of his father, President Idiriss Derby Itno, in April 2021,  French President, Emmanuel Macron, was the only Western leader that stood by him, and  in fact helped to doze  the strong criticisms against the military takeover of power.  The French President, was the only Western leader, or in fact the only Head of State from outside Africa, that attended the official funeral of the late Chadian leader, Idris Derby Itno, ,

But in recent months the relationship between France and Chad has been strained following an allegation in France that the young Chadian leader, General Mahamat Derby Itno, and his family (Derby Itno family), that have transformed Chad into more of a monarchy, have stolen huge sums of  money from the sale of Chadian oil,  and bought mansions and other properties in France.  The French term it as, ‘Biens Mal Acquis’, with the direct translation being, “Badly Acquired Property”. But the real meaning is Illegally Acquired Property.

So the 40 year Chadian leader, General Mahamat Derby Itno, was being accused in France of “Beins Mal Acuis”, that is, Illegally Acquired Property.  The veracity of that accusation is not known. It should be noted that the accusation or allegation against the Chadian leader and family was not done by the French Government. But with France being a democratic country, a civil society organization that fights against illegal acquisition of property, can file such an accusation or complaint against President Mahamat Derby Itno of Chad in a French court, and a case file is opened against him. The property illegally acquired in France. The French Government will not have the powers, or even the will to stop such a case.  So it is a serious issue.

Cancelled Planned Visit To France, and Instead Travelled To Russia

That accusation of “Biens Mal Acquis” in France made against the Chadian President, General Mahamat IDerby Itno, and family, so much angered the President and Government. Though the Chadian Government stayed silent, certainly at the demand of the President, it was clear that the accusation against the President in France, had strained the relationship between the two Governments.  Supporters of President Mahamat Derby Itno, claimed that the accusation made against him in France,  was an plot  to overthrow or to even to kill him. Following the strained relationship between Chad and France, the President of Chad cancelled a planned official visit to France. What more, the Chadian leader instead travelled to Russia, on the invitation of President Vladamir Putin.

All these make many people to think that though the Chadian leader, General Mahamat Derby Itno, was in realty not happy with the military cooperation agreement between France and Chad, the accusation of embezzlement of State finds leveled against him in France, as well as his trip to Russia at  a time of strained  relationship with France, contributed to the decision to end the controversial military partnership accord with France.

Meanwhile France 24 reported that when it contacted the French Government to get its reaction to the decision by the Chadian Government to put an end to the partnership between the two countries, the French Government simply said that it has taken note.  It should be noted that  while the Chadian Government and President,  were late last week announcing and explaining the reason for ending the military cooperation agreement between France and Chad, the French Government led by President Emmanuel Macron, were coincidentally offering the President of the most populated country and economic power house in Africa, Nigeria, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, a red carpet reception at the Elysee (Presidential Palace) in Paris, France. This is a world of interests!.

By Joe Dinga Pefok (Uncle Joe)

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