France has officially handed over its second military base in Chad as part of an agreement to withdraw its forces from the country.
According to The PUNCH, the base in Abéché, located in eastern Chad, was formally transferred to Chadian authorities on Saturday in a ceremony attended by Defence Minister Issaka Malloua Djamouss, as reported by AFP.
The withdrawal follows Chad’s abrupt decision in November to end military cooperation with its former colonial ruler.
French troops began leaving the country in December, with a complete withdrawal deadline set for January 31.
“Today… marks the handover of the Abeche base,” Defence Minister Issaka Djamouss said during an official ceremony. He called it a key step “leading to the final and total withdrawal of this army in our country.”
Djamouss added that the January 31 deadline for France to remove forces for good was “imperative,” “irreversible” and “non-negotiable.”
Approximately 100 French troops departed the Abéché base on Saturday, with equipment convoys leaving the site on Friday.
