France’s bitter retreat from west Africa

(FILES) Chadians look at French military vehicles driving on a trail near Abeche (Eastern Chad), 15 November 2007. The French army partols and secures the western part of Darfur border in Chad. European Union will send soon almost 4,300 soldiers to secure the refugees camps in Chad where around 400,000 refugees and displaced Chadians are gathered. Chad announced on November 28, 2024 that it was ending military cooperation with former colonial power France, just hours after a visit by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot. Chad is a key link in France's military presence in Africa, constituting Paris's last foothold in the Sahel after the forced withdrawal of its troops from Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. (Photo by Thomas COEX / AFP)