The United States has resumed discussions regarding its military presence in Chad, reflecting a broader trend of African nations reassessing their security relationships with the U.S. In recent weeks, senior officials from the State and Defense departments have visited N’Djamena, Chad’s capital, to engage with Chadian leaders about their security cooperation.
U.S. Air Force Maj. General Kenneth Ekman said the U.S. is returning Special Forces troops to Chad after leaving at the country’s request nearly five months ago.
The U.S military has announced that an agreement has been reached with Chadian authorities for American special forces to return to the country, after the troops were withdrawn ahead of the West African nation’s presidential election in May. General Kenneth Ekman, who oversaw a similar withdrawal of American soldiers from neighboring Niger, said the decison for U.S.troops to return to Chad was made by Nigerien President Mahamat Deby.
Context of the Renewed Talks
These discussions come at a critical time for U.S. military operations in Chad and across Africa. Earlier this year, the Chadian government requested a renegotiation of the agreement that allows U.S. military access to its territory. This led to the withdrawal of approximately 75 U.S. special operations forces from a disputed base near N’Djamena.
This move by Chad mirrors actions taken by its neighbor, Niger, which recently ordered the U.S. military to leave its territory. The U.S. subsequently handed over control of a $100 million base to Niger’s ruling junta. Niger had been a key partner in counterterrorism efforts in the Sahel, with a more established relationship with the U.S. compared to Chad. Despite this, the U.S. had around 100 special operations personnel in Chad before April, highlighting Chad’s role in regional counterterrorism initiatives.
Strategic Shifts and Future Presence
A senior U.S. defense official indicated that the U.S. does not anticipate returning to Chad with the same footprint as before. Instead, the U.S. aims to build a new presence from the ground up, aligning its goals with those of Chad. This approach reflects a broader shift in U.S. strategy, emphasizing facilitation and support rather than direct operations.
“What we’re hearing from a lot of African partners is they want to lead and they’re interested in our facilitation,” the official noted. This represents a significant change from previous years when the U.S. was more directly involved in operations.
Earlier the head of the U.S.-Africa military command (AFRICOM), Marine Corps General Michael Langley, said his government’s approach to the region – at a time of growing interest from other world powers – will remain “partnership-centric” and led by Africans. On a visit to North and East Africa, the Africom commander said his mission was to “learn and understand their approach for counter-terrorism”.
High-Level Visits and Strategic Discussions
In late July, John Bass, the acting head of political affairs at the State Department, visited Chad, followed by a visit from Maj. Gen. Kenneth Ekman, the top U.S. military officer for West Africa, in early August. These visits underscore the importance of ongoing strategic discussions between the U.S. and Chad.
Assistant Secretary of Defense Chris Maier expressed optimism about the potential for renewed cooperation, suggesting that the conclusion of Chad’s presidential election might pave the way for more effective talks.
Discreet Diplomacy and Internal Pressures
The U.S. has been discreet about these engagements, reflecting internal pressures and the sensitive nature of security ties at this uncertain time. An American defense official, speaking anonymously, highlighted the lack of a cohesive West Africa policy from the White House, further complicating the situation.
Despite these challenges, U.S. Africa Command confirmed that a small contingent of American personnel remains in Chad, supporting counterterrorism missions. The recent visit by Maj. Gen. Ekman aimed to engage with Chadian military and civilian leaders on a comprehensive approach to regional security challenges.
Ongoing Security Concerns
Africa Command deferred to the State Department on the status of the security relationship, with the State Department emphasizing the U.S.’s commitment to working closely with regional partners to advance mutual security interests and bolster peace and stability in the Sahel and Lake Chad Region.
However, these shared interests began to fray in April when Chad’s air chief abruptly sent a letter to the U.S. embassy, halting operations at a base near the capital and requesting a review of the military agreement. The American military complied, and the Pentagon agreed to start negotiations after Chad’s elections in May.
Meanwhile, the threat of terrorist groups continues to grow in the Sahel, a region where coups have become more common. The Global Terrorism Index reports that the region’s share of global terrorist-related deaths rose from 1% in 2007 to 43% in 2022.
Maier cautioned that while the threat may be contained to the region, U.S. officials and embassies in the Sahel could still be at risk. He noted, “I don’t think we’ve seen an external operations threat emerge from there.”
Diverse Motives and Strategic Reassessment
The senior defense official argued that the countries calling for a different relationship with the U.S. have varied motives and should not be seen as part of a broader pattern. Nonetheless, both the official and Maier acknowledged that the U.S. posture would need to change, likely becoming smaller and more dispersed.
Professional Rewrite
Instability in the Sahel poses significant threats to U.S. interests, underscoring the necessity of collaboration for intelligence sharing and capacity building. U.S. engagement in the region not only supports regional stability, which is vital for economic growth and humanitarian efforts, but also aims to counter terrorism and enhance collective security initiatives.
The Sahel region is of immense strategic importance due to its complex security challenges. Extremist groups exploit weak governance and environmental stressors, leading to widespread instability. This insecurity extends beyond the Sahel, presenting a global threat by fostering terrorism and exacerbating humanitarian crises.
As the U.S. reassesses its military relationships in Africa, the outcome of ongoing talks with Chad will be pivotal in shaping future American military strategy on the continent.