In late November, both Senegal and Chad – independently of one another – moved to profoundly alter their longstanding relationships with the French military. Senegalese President Diomaye Bassirou Faye,

Chad is a key partner in the West's fight against Islamist militants in the West African Sahel region. But prior to the presidential election in May, Chad's authorities ordered the withdrawal of US troops from the country,

Likely withdrawal of troops marks further retrenchment of French role in fighting Islamist insurgents in Sahel

STORY: Chad's government says it has ended a defence cooperation deal with France - a move that could result in French troops leaving the central African country.France currently has around 1,000 troops stationed in Chad,

Chad's government on Thursday announced that it is ending a defence cooperation agreement with France, its former colonial ruler, to redefine the nation's sovereignty. As one of the last countries in the region in which France maintained a large military presence,