With Sahel fight at stake, Macron pledges role in Chad
“France will never let anyone question and will never let anyone threaten – not today, not tomorrow – Chad’s stability and integrity … France will also be here to support, without hesitation, the promise of a peaceful Chad” vowed President Emmanuel Macron
Saturday 24/04/2021
French President Emmanuel Macron and Mahamat Idriss Deby, son of late Chadian President Idriss Deby, attend the state funeral of the slain leader in N’Djamena, Chad, April 23, 2021. (AFP)
N’DJAMENA French president Emmanuel Macron attended the N’Djamena funeral of Idriss Deby Itno, a key figure in France-led regional fight against the Sahel’s jihadist threat, as he voiced backing for the fallen president’s son and successor, Mahamat Idriss Deby.
UPDATE 1-With eye on Islamist fight, France backs Chad military takeover Reuters 4 hrs ago
(Recast, new throughout)
By John Irish and Tangi Salaün
PARIS, April 22 (Reuters) - France defended the Chadian army s takeover of power on Thursday after the battlefield death of President Idriss Deby presented Paris with an uncomfortable choice - back an unconstitutional military leader or risk undermining its fight against Islamists.
While the opaque political and business ties that once bound France to its ex-colonies in Africa have frayed over the last decade, interests remain closely intertwined and under Deby s rule Chad was a key ally in combatting Islamists in the Sahel.