“Frexit”: Chad sends packing last vestige of French neocolonialism
With Kossei base vacated by French troops last month, Chad finally reclaims national sovereignty
N’DJAMENA, Chad (MNTV)- It has been some months since north central African nation Chad severed its defence agreement with France to assist it in its drive for national security against radical insurgent groups.
As a result of the agreement which symbolizes a reassertion of African nationalism, the French army finally handed over all of the military bases in the country which had housed French troops, the last being Kossei base, vacated a couple of weeks ago near the capital N’Djamena.
France has a long history of colonial occupation in Africa. Although liberation was achieved by Chad in 1960, France has remained indirectly involved in resource-rich West Africa.
Following the rise of local insurgencies by radical groups, France began militarily intervening for security purposes. However, French presence has only exacerbated the problem, security and stability still being a far cry.
Ironically, while it was Chad that declared the defence treaty allowing French military intervention to end, the head of the French Armed Forces’ Africa Command stated after the infamous exit that the handover was “France’s decision.”
The Chadian army’s chief of staff on the other hand, hailed the end of France’s military intervention in the country as marking a new era asserting national sovereignty and self-reliance as an independent country.
Several African states have in the last few years decided to expunge longstanding French armies- lock, stock and barrel. The troops’ presence did little to restore order in the countries, serving instead to stoke the flames of internal conflict and dissent, radicalizing rebel groups and spreading further violence.
The ‘Frexit’ trend reflects a new postcolonial era in which former French colonies are beginning to take charge of their own affairs.
Abakar Abdelkerim Daoud, Chadian Army’s Chief of Staff, said on the occasion of the closure of the Kossei base, “The Chadian army is capable of taking over the role that the French army had played in Chad.”
Chad is the fourth former French colony that has expelled French forces from its territory, following the lead from Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.
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