Relations between Chad and France are showing clear signs of improvement following President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno’s official visit to Paris, from which he returned to N’Djamena over the weekend. The trip marks a significant step in the gradual normalization of ties after months of diplomatic tension and strategic recalibration by the Chadian authorities.
According to sources close to the presidency, Déby now enjoys strong backing from his inner circle to rebuild cooperation with Paris. Senior figures within the security, diplomatic and economic establishments are said to support renewed engagement, arguing that France remains a key partner for Chad’s stability, particularly in defence cooperation, military training and development support.
The Paris visit reportedly helped ease misunderstandings that emerged following France’s military drawdown in the Sahel and the rise of more overtly sovereignist rhetoric across the region. From N’Djamena’s perspective, the emphasis is on redefining the partnership on new terms, anchored in mutual respect and shared strategic interests rather than legacy arrangements.
Domestically, the move also carries political weight for Mahamat Idriss Déby. By securing the alignment of his closest allies around a thaw with France, he strengthens his position at a time when the region is grappling with instability, repeated coups and shifting alliances, including Russia’s expanding influence in neighbouring countries.
For France, the renewed dialogue offers a chance to retain a strategic foothold in Central Africa as its influence wanes in parts of West Africa. Discussions are understood to have covered regional security, the fight against armed groups and economic cooperation. While no major public announcements followed the visit, both sides signalled a willingness to move beyond recent frictions.
This diplomatic reset could reposition Chad as a pivotal partner for France in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape, while giving N’Djamena greater room to balance its relationships with competing international actors.
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