Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby met Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee on Tuesday, 13 October. It was their third meeting in less than ten months, after more than a year of tension caused by Chad expelling the French army in late 2024. According to an Elysee source, the two leaders are now working on renewing their partnership. Talks focused on economic cooperation and French investment in Chad, following a business forum in Paris on 25 September that led to several agreements in transport, health, energy and education.
The main topic was the restart of military cooperation. On the sidelines of the meeting, the two defence ministers signed a declaration of intent to structure and develop bilateral defence ties. It covers training, expertise, industry and technology. Chad had abruptly ended the defence agreement in November 2024 and sent French troops home two months later, a blow for Macron after French forces were also pushed out of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.
Since the split, Deby has turned to other partners, including the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Russia. None fully satisfied him as threats grow on his borders, especially in Sudan, where the regular army wants to punish him for backing paramilitaries in the civil war. Tensions are also rising with Niger and the Central African Republic. Under pressure, Deby has decided to turn back to Chad’s historic partner, France, which has protected successive regimes since independence.
After setbacks in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, the return to favour in Chad is a small victory for French diplomats and soldiers. But Paris is not boasting. “We will move slowly, step by step. We have not forgotten that they kicked us out,” a French military source said. A senior Chadian officer said the partnership is being relaunched, but this time on clear and solid ground, so it is win-win and in line with both countries’ interests.
Reference
Roger, B. (2026, October 13). A Paris, Emmanuel Macron et Mahamat Idriss Déby actent le renouveau de leur coopération militaire. Le Monde. https://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2026/10/13/a-paris-emmanuel-macron-et-mahamat-idriss-deby-actent-le-renouveau-de-leur-cooperation-militaire_6793149_3212.html