Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno travelled to Paris on Monday for talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, as the two countries seek to rebuild diplomatic, economic and security relations following the withdrawal of French troops from Chad.
Deby departed N’Djamena on October 12 for a working visit at Macron’s invitation, with the two leaders scheduled to meet at the Elysee Palace on Tuesday.
The talks will focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation, economic investment and regional security, marking their third meeting since January as Paris and N’Djamena attempt to move beyond a diplomatic rupture that ended decades of French military presence in Chad.
Relations deteriorated sharply in November 2024 when Chad unexpectedly terminated its defence cooperation agreement with France, forcing approximately 1,000 French troops to leave the country. The withdrawal was completed in January 2025, ending one of France’s most important military deployments in the Sahel.
Despite the breakdown, both governments have since pursued a gradual rapprochement.
During their January 29 meeting in Paris, Macron and Deby agreed to establish a renewed partnership based on mutual respect and shared interests, particularly in economic cooperation.
The diplomatic opening continued in May when the leaders held further discussions in Nairobi, while French military officials have also explored possible arrangements for renewed security cooperation.
Security and economic interests
The rapprochement comes as Chad faces mounting security challenges, including instability along its border with war-torn Sudan and threats from armed groups operating around the Lake Chad region.
Sudan’s conflict is expected to remain an important regional consideration. During their January meeting, Macron and Deby jointly called for a humanitarian truce in Sudan and a political settlement that would preserve the country’s territorial integrity.
For France, restoring cooperation with Chad offers an opportunity to regain influence in a region where its military presence has sharply declined.
For N’Djamena, renewed engagement could provide access to security assistance, investment and diplomatic support without necessarily restoring the previous military arrangement.
Economic cooperation has also gained momentum.
A Franco-Chadian business forum held in Paris in September sought to encourage French companies to participate in Chad’s national development programme, known as Chad Connection 2030.
The latest meeting is expected to assess progress on these initiatives and explore opportunities for further investment.
Political and judicial tensions remain
However, the diplomatic reset faces potential complications from political and judicial disputes involving the Chadian government.
Former Prime Minister and opposition leader Succès Masra was released from prison in August following a presidential pardon, a move that eased some political tensions.
Human Rights Watch has nevertheless warned that his conviction remains in force, limiting his ability to participate in political life.
Meanwhile, Chadian opposition figures based in France have intensified efforts to seek accountability over the February 2024 death of opposition politician Yaya Dillo, who was killed during a security forces operation against his party’s headquarters in N’Djamena.
His brother, Ousmane Dillo, has pursued legal action in France seeking an investigation into the circumstances of his death.
Deby also faces scrutiny from French financial prosecutors over allegations involving the suspected misuse of public funds and substantial spending in France, including luxury clothing purchases. The allegations remain under investigation and have not resulted in a finding of guilt.
Despite these unresolved issues, Paris and N’Djamena appear determined to restore cooperation, reflecting mutual economic and security interests amid continuing instability across the Sahel and neighbouring Sudan.
Tuesday’s meeting is expected to provide a clearer indication of how far both governments are prepared to go in rebuilding their partnership.
