France has officially handed over its first military base in Chad as part of the ongoing withdrawal of French forces from the country, according to statements from both the French and Chadian militaries.
On Thursday, Chad’s Chief of Military Staff announced that control of the base in Faya-Largeau, located in the north, had been transferred.
Updates regarding the withdrawal from other bases, including those in the eastern city of Abeche and the capital, N’Djamena, will be communicated to the public in due course.
French troops departed Faya-Largeau in military vehicles, heading 780 kilometers (480 miles) south to N’Djamena. While no exact numbers were disclosed, France previously maintained approximately 1,000 military personnel in Chad.
“The handover took place in accordance with the calendar and the conditions agreed with Chad,” confirmed the French military chief of staff in a separate statement.
This withdrawal follows Chad’s decision last month to terminate military cooperation with its former colonial ruler. The pullout began shortly after French warplanes exited the country.
The development comes just days ahead of Chad’s parliamentary and local elections scheduled for Sunday.
