France and Chad renew military and defense cooperation

France and Chad are renewing their strategic partnership, specifically focusing on military and defense cooperation. Following a working visit to Paris by Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno on October 12-13, 2026, the defense ministers of both nations signed a declaration of intent to restart dialogue.

This rapprochement follows a period of tension that led Chad to denounce defense agreements in November 2024, resulting in the departure of French troops by early 2025. The new agreement does not immediately restore previous defense pacts or large-scale troop deployments; instead, it emphasizes technical cooperation, training, logistics, and intelligence to bolster the capabilities of the Chadian forces.

The intensified diplomatic activity includes five visits by President Déby to France within five years. This shift occurs amid regional instability, including the impact of the war in Sudan on Chad's eastern borders, as both nations seek to rebuild a partnership based on new strategic realities.