Chad’s President Visits Russia to Strengthen Bilateral Relations

Chad‘s transitional president, General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, has embarked on an official visit to Russia in a bid to strengthen bilateral relations between the two nations. The visit comes at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, with the two leaders set to meet on Wednesday. Their discussions will focus on various aspects of Russian-Chadian relations, as well as regional and international issues.

Chad, located in the North African Sahel region, remains a crucial partner for France, the country still maintaining a military contingent in the region. Following the forced withdrawal of French troops from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger in recent years, Chad emerged as France’s last close ally in the Sahel. Since then, all three countries have increasingly turned to Russia for support, particularly in the military sector, after the conclusion of Operation Barkhane in 2022.

Russia’s presence and influence in the Sahel region extend beyond Chad, with the country’s private military outfit, Wagner, playing an active role in the Central African Republic, Libya, and Sudan – all of which share borders with Chad.

General Mahamat Deby assumed power two years ago as the head of an army junta following the death of his father, Idriss Deby Itno, who ruled Chad for three decades after taking control in a coup. The Chadian army is widely recognized for its significant contribution to the fight against jihadist groups in the region.

The transitional regime led by General Deby has committed to holding presidential elections by the end of this year, adhering to international pressure to fulfill an initial pledge to conduct elections within 18 months.