Chad marks a turning point: The end of French Military presence and the call for sovereignty across Africa

January 31, 2025, will be a historic date for Chad and Africa as a whole, marking the definitive withdrawal of French forces from Chadian soil. This monumental decision, driven by President Mahamat Idriss Déby, is a significant victory for Chad’s sovereignty and a moment of pride for Africans advocating for self-determination.

Although long overdue, this withdrawal is a testament to the resilience of the Chadian people and a bold rejection of foreign interference, signaling the end of an era of dependency.

However, as Chad takes a decisive step towards freedom and full autonomy, other African nations, such as Benin, remain entangled in the grip of foreign military presence.

Despite growing popular demands for sovereignty, President Patrice Talon continues to allow French forces to operate on Beninese territory.

This decision has raised critical questions: has Benin become a pawn in France’s strategy to maintain influence over Africa?

For decades, French military deployments, under the guise of counterterrorism efforts, have coincided with rising insecurity and chaos across the Sahel.

Instead of fostering stability, their presence has exacerbated crises, undermining the sovereignty of African nations and perpetuating a neo-colonial agenda aimed at controlling the continent’s resources.

The narrative of partnership has unravelled, revealing a pattern of division and destabilization.

President Talon’s decision to maintain these forces on Beninese soil appears to contradict the aspirations of his people and the broader pan-African movement for liberation.

By refusing to align with nations like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Chad, which have collectively rejected foreign domination, Benin risks being left behind in the fight for a truly independent Africa.

This stance is not only a betrayal of Benin’s citizens but also an affront to the vision of a united and sovereign Africa.

The continued presence of French troops in Benin represents a lingering vestige of imperialism. It undermines African alliances such as the AES and sabotages the collective quest for stability and self-reliance.

For many, this collaboration between the Beninese leadership and a former colonizer is a source of frustration and disillusionment, as it perpetuates the cycle of exploitation.

The time has come for the people of Benin to demand change. The government must prioritize the nation’s sovereignty over outdated alliances that serve foreign interests.

President Patrice Talon must take a stand for his country, following the example of Chad and other forward-thinking African nations. The choice is clear: serve the will of the people or remain complicit in the perpetuation of neocolonial control.

Africa is at a crossroads. Its leaders must choose between collaboration with foreign powers that divide and exploit or solidarity with a vision of unity, justice, and sovereignty. The continued presence of French forces in Benin is an affront to this vision and a barrier to the continent’s progress. Africans will no longer tolerate leaders who compromise the dignity and future of their nations.

The call is urgent: Benin must reclaim its independence, remove foreign forces, and join the movement toward a free and self-reliant Africa. The people of Benin deserve leadership that

Maurice K.ZONGO