United States (Washington Insider Magazine )-The United States has restarted discussions about the future of its military presence in Chad, a country that has recently expressed uncertainty about its relationship with American forces. Over the past month, senior officials from the State and Defense Departments visited Chad’s capital, N’Djamena, to meet with the government and military to renegotiate the terms of their security cooperation.
This dialogue comes at a crucial time, not just for U.S.-Chad relations but for America’s broader role on the African continent. Earlier this year, Chad requested a renegotiation of its agreement with the U.S., resulting in the withdrawal of around 75 U.S. special operations forces from a disputed base near N’Djamena. This request followed a regional trend, as neighbouring Niger also expelled American military forces, forcing the U.S. to relinquish control of a $100 million military base to Niger’s ruling junta.
While the U.S. had developed a strong counterterrorism partnership with Niger, Chad’s relationship with the American military has been less established. Nevertheless, Chad’s geographical location and the growing threat of terrorist groups in the Sahel make it a valuable strategic partner in the fight against extremism. Before the partial withdrawal in April, the U.S. had around 100 special operations personnel in Chad, assisting in counterterrorism efforts.
A senior U.S. defence official hinted that the future U.S. military footprint in Chad may be smaller and more decentralized than before. Rather than resuming previous operations, the focus will likely shift to aligning U.S. and Chadian goals, with a view to allowing Chad to take the lead, while the U.S. provides support.
This shift in approach marks a notable departure from past practices, where the U.S. often conducted direct operations. As one official put it, many African partners now prefer to lead security efforts, with the U.S. offering facilitation instead of direct military intervention.
Despite the drawdown, U.S. officials remain hopeful about a future agreement. Chris Maier, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations, expressed optimism, suggesting that the conclusion of Chad’s presidential elections could open the door for more productive discussions. The Pentagon, while labelling the withdrawal as temporary, is exploring options for a new arrangement.
However, the uncertainty surrounding U.S. military involvement in Chad is compounded by the lack of a clear West Africa policy from the Biden administration. The recent coup in Niger and the subsequent loss of the U.S. military base there have exposed internal pressures within the U.S. government. One defense official acknowledged that different parts of the administration are grappling with how to respond to the shifting dynamics in the region, which has seen a rise in coup d’états and terrorist activities.
According to the Global Terrorism Index, the Sahel region’s share of global terrorist-related deaths surged from 1% in 2007 to 43% in 2022, making it a growing hotspot for extremist violence. Despite this, some experts question the necessity of the U.S. maintaining its military presence in the region. Cameron Hudson, a specialist in African security issues, argues that the threat in the Sahel does not directly endanger the U.S. homeland, calling into question the need for such a footprint.
As Chad and other African nations reconsider their relationships with foreign military forces, the U.S. must adapt its approach to reflect local preferences for leadership and autonomy. Whether this leads to a reduced presence or a reimagined partnership remains to be seen, but the stakes are high for both regional security and U.S. interests in Africa.