France hands over Abeché military base before withdrawing troops from Chad
The French government has handed over its military base in the city of Abeché in Chad in a ceremony attended by the Chadian Minister of Defense, his delegation, and French officials.
The French government has handed over its military base in the city of Abeché in Chad in a ceremony attended by the Chadian Minister of Defense, his delegation, and French officials.
Addressing the event, Colonel Boris POMIROL, Commander of the French Forces in the Sahel region, said that these relations are living proof of the friendship that unites the people of the two nations, and that despite the departure of French troops, the friendship between the country and Chad will endure
The French military commander added that, after the country's military presence in Abeché for many years, the situation is now different, where Chad has strengthened its capabilities and can address the security and humanitarian challenges in Ouaddai.
Chadian Defense Minister Issaka Maroua Djamous, who welcomed the decision, stressed that he reminds everyone that the deadline for the withdrawal of French troops is still January 31, 2025.
Djamous said: "For me, this is an opportunity to emphasize the government's firm commitment to respecting the deadline, and the deadline for the withdrawal of French forces from Chad is set to be January 31, 2025. January 31, 2025 is a non-negotiable date."
Abeché, a city in northern Chad, has been known for years for its hostility and opposition to the presence of a French military base. Protests calling for the removal of the base have taken place several times in the city, although in the past they have been suppressed with an iron fist by the Chadian government.
Two days before the French troops are due to leave Chad, rows of trucks loaded with containers and heavy equipment were seen heading towards the capital N'Djamena. Some of the military equipment will pass through Cameroon to be transported by sea to France.../
