By Zagazola Makama
In a landmark geopolitical shift, Turkey has assumed control over strategic military bases in Chad, marking a significant departure from France’s longstanding military presence in its former colony. This development not only cements Ankara’s growing influence in Africa but also reshapes the security architecture of the Sahel region, where traditional powers are retreating amid evolving alliances.
From Paris to Ankara: A Changing of the Guard
The transition was formalized in mid-January 2025, when Turkey and Chad finalized an agreement granting Ankara control over the Abéché military base in eastern Chad. The deal followed extensive negotiations between Turkish diplomats and Chadian officials, culminating in Turkey taking over an installation that had been a French stronghold for decades. France’s withdrawal from the base in December 2024 marked the end of a military partnership that had defined Franco-Chadian relations for years.
But Turkey’s ambitions extend beyond Abéché. Turkish drones and military advisors have been deployed near the Faya-Largeau base in northern Chad, a strategic point near the Libyan border. This expansion signals Turkey’s broader commitment to reinforcing Chad’s security forces, particularly in countering instability from neighboring Sudan and Libya.
Ankara’s increasing military footprint in Chad is part of a wider strategy to position itself as a dominant security and economic partner in Africa. Turkey’s military presence—marked by the deployment of Bayraktar TB2 drones, advanced defense systems, and advisory missions—not only strengthens Chad’s military capabilities but also offers an alternative to traditional Western security assistance.
Defense analysts view Turkey’s proactive engagement as a potential stabilizing force in a region plagued by jihadist insurgencies, political upheavals, and transnational criminal networks. The move also serves as a counterbalance to competing foreign powers, including Russia’s Wagner Group and China’s increasing economic interests in the Sahel.
Turkey’s influence in Africa is not limited to security. In 2024, trade between Turkey and African nations surged to $32 billion, fueled by investments in infrastructure, energy, and construction. Turkish contractors have played a key role in developing roads, airports, and power grids across the continent, solidifying Ankara’s reputation as a reliable development partner.
Diplomatically, Turkey has expanded its embassies in Africa from 12 in 2003 to over 40 today, demonstrating a long-term commitment to fostering closer ties. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s African policy emphasizes mutual respect, economic cooperation, and military support, a strategy that has won Ankara a growing number of allies.
Turkey’s entry into Chad comes as France faces a sharp decline in its African influence. In recent years, French troops have been expelled from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, signaling a broader rejection of Paris’s military presence in Francophone Africa. Turkey’s strategic engagement in Chad reflects a power vacuum left by France’s retreat, which Ankara is eager to fill.
While some Western analysts view Turkey’s expanding role with caution, African nations increasingly see Ankara as a pragmatic partner willing to invest in both security and development without the historical baggage of colonialism.
As Chad recalibrates its alliances and Turkey solidifies its foothold in the Sahel, the continent’s geopolitical landscape is undergoing a profound transformation. With military cooperation deepening and economic ties strengthening, Turkey’s role in Africa is no longer a peripheral one—it is central to the region’s future.
The shift from French dominance to Turkish partnership in Chad exemplifies a broader realignment of global influence in Africa, setting the stage for Ankara to emerge as a pivotal player in the region’s security and economic affairs.
Zagazola Makama is a Counter-Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad Region.
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