Editorial: Le Monde

• Chad and Senegal have announced the termination of their defense agreements with France.
• Both countries assert that this decision is a step towards asserting their sovereignty and independence.
• France was taken by surprise by these announcements, particularly in the case of Chad, where thousands of French military personnel have been stationed for decades.
• These decisions are another blow to France, following the forced withdrawal of its troops from Mali in 2022, and from Burkina Faso and Niger in 2023.
• The rejection of French military presence comes in a context of growing discontent among the population and youth of these countries.
• African leaders are receiving more collaboration offers from other countries, such as the United States, Russia, China, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Israel.

Conclusion: The end of the defense agreements reflects the larger disillusionment with France, signaled by growing anti-French sentiment and the multiple offers being received by African leaders from other global powers. France must quickly adapt to this power shift and establish new relationships with these countries on terms of equality and respect for sovereignty.

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