France’s influence in Sub-Saharan Africa has suffered a fresh setback as the government of Chad says that it has terminated its defence cooperation agreement with France, potentially leading to the withdrawal of French troops from the Central African nation.

After more than 60 years of independence, Chad, a crucial Western partner in the war against Islamic terrorists in the area, said in a statement that it wants to completely establish its sovereignty.

It stated that it would be allowed to reinterpret its strategic alliances as a result of the 2019 revision to the Defence Cooperation Agreement.

Although Chad has always worked closely with the military forces of Western countries, in recent years it has become more close to Russia.

After being forced to withdraw its soldiers from Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso due to military coups, the decision represents yet another blow to France’s colonial and historic position in West and Central Africa.

Since then, the military juntas have looked to Russia, which has been developing stronger connections with Chad’s president Mahamat Deby and has mercenaries stationed throughout the Sahel area, a group of nations that stretches from the northwest to the northeast shores of Africa.

“Under the terms of the accord, Chad will respect the modalities of the termination including the necessary deadlines, and will collaborate with French authorities to ensure a harmonious transition,” the statement said.

The French foreign ministry is yet to officially comment on the development.

Although a French envoy to President Emmanuel Macron this week submitted a report with recommendations on how France could scale back its military presence in Chad, Gabon, and Ivory Coast, where it has stationed thousands of troops for decades, there were no signs that Paris had been informed in advance of the decision.

Approximately 1,000 French soldiers and combat aircraft are presently stationed in Chad.

In a further setback for France, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye stated Thursday in an interview with French state television that French troops should not be stationed in his nation.

He stated that Paris would be the first to know, but he did not specify whether or when French forces would be ordered to depart. There are about 350 French soldiers stationed in Senegal.

The decision to terminate the country’s defence relationship with France should not in any way jeopardise the two nations’ cordial ties, according to a statement from Chad’s foreign ministry.

According to a study released by Amnesty International on Thursday, at least 24 people were killed when Nigerian police used excessive force and shot at demonstrators during a crackdown on protests in August over a cost of living issue.

The nationwide “#10DaysOfRage” protests against economic hardship were the largest in Nigeria since October 2020.

The Nigeria Police Force did not immediately answer a request for comment on the Amnesty report. Police claimed seven persons had died on August 3 but denied murdering protestors.

When suspected Boko Haram terrorists infiltrated a gathering, they installed an explosive device, which authorities said was responsible for four killings.

According to police, one guy was shot by a local vigilante while attempting to pillage a store, and two individuals were murdered after being struck by a car while marching.

The administration has not made any public remarks regarding the protester fatalities, despite having urged Nigerians to abstain from the protests.

In a 34-page study, Amnesty stated that it had compiled evidence from eyewitness statements, death certificates, and videos and photos. According to the rights group, at least 24 protestors were slain by police in the states of Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, Kaduna, Niger, and Borno.

“In almost all cases the victims were shot by the police – firing live ammunition at close range, often at the head or torso, suggesting that they were shooting to kill,” it added.

According to Amnesty International, any claims of violence on protestors should be thoroughly and openly investigated by authorities, and those responsible should be held accountable.

Nigeria released at least 30 kids who had been held during the demonstrations earlier this month after receiving condemnation from rights organisations.

Nigeria’s cost of living situation is the worst in a generation. Costs have increased as a result of President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, which also included devaluing the naira and eliminating certain energy and petrol subsidies.