The United States has announced plans to withdraw some troops from Chad, following a recent agreement to relocate forces from neighboring Niger.
Currently, approximately 100 US troops are stationed in Chad as part of the country’s strategy to counter extremism in West Africa.
Pentagon press secretary Major General Pat Ryder stated during a news conference on Thursday that US Africa Command (USAFRICOM) is organizing the repositioning of military forces from Chad, with a portion of these troops already scheduled for departure.
Ryder emphasised that this action is temporary and part of an ongoing review of security cooperation, which will resume after Chad’s presidential election on May 6.
Earlier this month, Chad’s air force chief ordered the US military to cease activities at the Adji Kossei Air Base near the capital N’Djamena, citing the need for documentation justifying the US presence at the base. However, no such documents were provided.
The US troops stationed at the Adji Kossei military base train Chadian anti-terrorism special forces and an elite army unit to combat the Boko Haram jihadist group from Nigeria.
Similarly, neighboring Niger plays a crucial role in US and French efforts to combat jihadists in the region.
However, Niger’s ruling military junta announced in March that it would terminate a military cooperation agreement with the US, alleging imposition and illegal US troop presence.
As a result, discussions have begun between the US and Niger regarding the withdrawal of over 1,000 US personnel from the country, which also hosts a significant American drone base valued at $100 million.
In response to the withdrawal from Niger, Pentagon press secretary Ryder stated that the US will continue to explore options to address potential terrorist threats in the region.
The current political landscape in Chad is marked by General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno’s assumption of the presidency following a coup in 2021.
Opposition candidates have been banned from running in the upcoming presidential election, and tensions escalated with the fatal shooting of main rival Yaya Dillo Djerou in an army assault on his party headquarters.
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