Chad and Senegal recently announced their decision to terminate the defense cooperation agreement with France, underlining the growing trend of Francophone African nations reassessing their ties with their former colonial power.
The announcement, framed as an effort by the nations to “assert their full sovereignty,” comes amid a broader shift in the Sahel, where countries like Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have already severed or redefined military agreements with France.
Chad’s Foreign Minister Abderaman Koulamallah clarified that the move does not signal a complete break with France, emphasizing its role as an “essential partner.” However, he stressed Chad’s need to “redefine its strategic partnerships according to national priorities.”
Tekedia Mini-MBA edition 16 (Feb 10 – May 3, 2025) opens registrations; register today for early bird discounts.
Tekedia AI in Business Masterclass opens registrations here.
Join Tekedia Capital Syndicate and invest in Africa’s finest startups here.
This recalibration has raised questions about the future of France’s military presence in Africa, stirring curiosity about its recent romantic advances to Nigeria.
Chad’s decision followed a meeting between French Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and Chadian President Mahamat Déby, which many believed was aimed at finding a solution to the countries’ soured relationship. France currently has around 1,000 troops stationed in Chad, supporting its military with intelligence and logistics under a 2019 defense pact.
Regional Shifts and Waning French Influence
Earlier this year, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso expelled French troops, accusing Paris of failing to stem the tide of insurgencies while exerting undue political influence.
This regional distancing has intensified France’s isolation. Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye described the presence of these bases as incompatible with the country’s sovereignty.
Faye won the March elections with a vow to assert Senegal’s independence. He mentioned France’s acknowledgment of its role in the 1944 massacre, in which Senegalese soldiers were killed by French forces.
“Senegal is an independent country, it is a sovereign country and sovereignty does not accept the presence of military bases in a sovereign country,” he said from the presidential palace.
Nigeria’s New Romance with France Sparks Concerns
As Francophone African countries distance themselves from France, Nigeria’s recent engagement with the European power has raised eyebrows. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to France culminated in the signing of two landmark agreements worth €300 million aimed at boosting Nigeria’s development. The deals, signed at the Palais des Elysée in Paris, cover critical infrastructure, agriculture, renewable energy, and healthcare development.
While these agreements were lauded as a step towards revitalizing Nigeria’s economy, they have also sparked concerns among Nigerians, who worry that France, increasingly isolated in the Sahel, may be pivoting towards Nigeria as a new partner for its military projects in the region.
France’s waning influence in Francophone Africa has forced it to seek alternative allies to maintain its strategic interests in the Sahel. Observers have noted that Nigeria’s pivotal role in West Africa and its leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) make it a prime candidate for French outreach.
France’s engagement with Nigeria is seen as a calculated move to retain a foothold in Africa, which comes with geopolitical and national security concerns.
Many Nigerians fear that closer ties with France could draw the country deeper into the Sahel’s geopolitical and security crises. France’s history of military interventions in Africa, often criticized for perpetuating dependency and neo-colonial control, has left many wary of its intentions.
Tinubu’s administration has already faced scrutiny for its approach to regional security, particularly with Nigeria’s prominent role in ECOWAS’ stance on the recent coup in Niger. Analysts warn that aligning too closely with France could complicate Nigeria’s position as a neutral regional leader, especially given the growing alignment of Sahelian nations with Russia.
As Chad, Senegal, and other nations push back against French influence, the Sahel faces an uncertain future. While these moves signal a shift towards greater sovereignty, they also raise questions about how regional security will be maintained in the absence of traditional Western partnerships.
For Nigeria already grappling with internal security challenges, many believe it’s not time for her to become a surrogate for France’s waning presence in the Sahel.