Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno is expected to travel to France in the coming weeks after accepting an invitation from French President Emmanuel Macron for an official visit to Paris, signalling a tentative reset in relations between the two countries.

The planned visit follows a meeting held on Monday between President Déby and the French Ambassador to N’Djamena, where diplomatic engagement between Chad and France was discussed.

The trip comes against the backdrop of strained ties after Chad ended all military co-operation with France in 2024, marking a major shift in a relationship that had long been anchored in defence and security collaboration. Since then, both sides have indicated an interest in redefining their partnership on new terms.

Former adviser to the Chadian Presidency Makaïla Nguebla said the visit reflects a pragmatic effort by both governments to move forward.

“This visit is less about returning to the old relationship and more about establishing a new framework based on mutual respect and Chad’s sovereignty,” Nguebla said. “N’Djamena is signalling that while military co-operation has ended, diplomatic and economic engagement with France remains important.”

He added that the talks in Paris are likely to focus on political dialogue, development co-operation and regional stability, rather than defence.

“For Chad, the priority is diversification of partnerships,” Nguebla said. “France remains a key international actor, but the relationship now has to reflect Chad’s evolving foreign policy and the broader changes underway across the Sahel.”

No official date for the visit has yet been announced, but observers say it could mark a significant step in reshaping Franco-Chadian relations in the post-military era.

–ChannelAfrica–