Chad Government Chases Out French Troops
On September 11, 2025, a Facebook user @Afrocania made a claim that the French troops have been chased out of Chad by President Mahamat Idriss Deby. The post had an image of Deby and French Military uniformed veterans, with the caption, “BREAKING NEWS!🚨🚨 The French troops have been CHASED out of Chad by Chad's president Mahamat Idriss Deby.. First it was Burkina Faso, then Mali, then Niger and now Chad ! Congratulations to all the SAHEL countries for this great moves. Africa is gradually gaining control over its territory and power is slowing returning back to the people. God bless Africa!!✊✊✊ #fblifestyle #Afrocania #viral”.
When this report was published, this claim had over 14,500 likes, comments and shares.
VERIFICATION
On November 28, 2024, Chad officially ended its defense and security cooperation agreement with France. This decision was aimed at allowing Chad to redefine its strategic partnerships in line with national priorities. This effectively set the stage for the withdrawal of French troops stationed in the country. On December 10, 2024, France began withdrawing military assets, including warplanes, from Chad.
By January 30, 2025, France formally handed over its last military base in Chad, the Sergeant Adji Kossei air base in N’Djamena to Chadian authorities. This marked the official end of France’s permanent military presence in Chad after more than 70 years.
While the claim suggests that the French troops were chased out, evidence from NV-A’s findings shows that the departure was not a sudden or violent expulsion. It was the result of a decision by Chad’s leadership to sever its military relationship with its former colonial power. The French government coordinated with the Sahel nation during this process and the withdrawal was carried out in stages. While it is part of the moves by the Chadian government to reclaim sovereignty, it is not a forced eviction and the two countries maintain relations in other areas.
CONCLUSION
The claim that French forces have been “chased out” of Chad is MISLEADING. French troops have indeed withdrawn from Chad, following President Mahamat Idriss Deby’s decision to end the defence pact with France. However, the exit was politically decided, coordinated with France, and carried out in stages, not the result of a violent expulsion.
