Chad’s Strategic Shift: Strengthening Ties with Russia Amidst Western Pressures
Chad, long recognized as a staunch ally of France, is now strategically pivoting towards Russia, complicating its relationships with traditional Western partners. President Mahamat Déby, who took office following the death of his father, has been fostering closer ties with Moscow, raising alarms in Paris and Washington.
In January, Déby met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin, while discussions continued in June with Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visiting N’Djamena. Chadian officials have hinted at exploring a military partnership with Russia, although current efforts emphasize cultural and media collaborations, as evidenced by the recent inauguration of a Russian cultural center in the capital.
Despite some setbacks, including the brief detention of a sociologist linked to the former Wagner group, the overall trajectory of Chad-Russia relations appears to be strengthening. This burgeoning alliance poses a significant challenge for both the United States and France, as they have witnessed Moscow effectively exploiting cultural and social media platforms to spread anti-Western sentiment in Sahelian nations. Many military regimes that have taken power in the region since 2020 have opted to expel Western forces, increasingly turning to Russia for military support.
Chad’s potential alignment with Moscow is of particular concern for France, which maintains a significant military presence in the country, including a major base in N’Djamena. Although Déby recently permitted the return of US special forces, their presence remains under scrutiny amidst the shifting geopolitical landscape.
The growing anti-Western sentiment among younger generations in Chad and other former French colonies further complicates matters. Déby’s administration is aware that the ongoing instability in neighboring countries such as Sudan, Libya, and the Central African Republic (CAR) amplifies Chad’s strategic importance, allowing him to leverage relations with Western powers while exploring partnerships with Russia.
Russian influence is rapidly expanding across the region. The military contractor formerly known as Wagner is now known as Africa Corps and operates under tighter Kremlin control. This rise in Russian presence, coupled with France’s forced withdrawal from several West African nations, signals a pivotal shift in the balance of power.
President Emmanuel Macron’s discreet calls for genuine democratic transitions in Chad contrast with his reluctance to publicly criticize this crucial ally. Meanwhile, suspicions arise that the US may have backed Déby’s main electoral rival, increasing tensions within this delicate relationship.
As Western powers monitor Chad’s deepening ties with Russia, hopes remain that President Déby views this alignment as a supplementary diplomatic relationship rather than a replacement for Western alliances. This situation highlights the complexity of Chad’s geopolitical maneuvering amidst an increasingly volatile regional landscape.
