France hands over first base in Chad during withdrawal from former colony

Paris: France has handed over its first military base as part of the withdrawal of its military forces from Chad, the French and Chadian militaries say.

Chad’s chief of military staff said the base at Faya-Largeau in the north of the country had been handed over and the army would inform the public about progress concerning the withdrawal of French forces from bases in the eastern city of Abeche and the capital, N’Djamena.

Chad’s military said French troops had left in vehicles for N’Djamena, 780km (480 miles) to the south, without providing a precise figure. The French army had about 1,000 personnel in the country.

“The handover took place in accordance with the calendar and the conditions agreed with Chad,” the French military chief of staff said separately.

Chad last month ended military cooperation with its former colonial power, and French troops began leaving the country on Friday, 10 days after French warplanes left.

The move came as Chad prepares to hold parliamentary and local elections on Sunday.