Chadian Youth Calls for Joining the Sahel States Alliance Amid Break from French Influence

BY: Dr. Hana Saada

Algiers, Algeria | February 7th, 2025 — In a decisive shift reflecting the region’s growing defiance of neocolonial influence, Chadian youth organizations have called on President Mahamat Idriss Déby to take a bold step by integrating Chad into the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). This demand, voiced during a recent gathering of youth movements in Chad, signals a profound transformation in the country’s geopolitical trajectory—one that prioritizes sovereignty, self-reliance, and regional unity over the vestiges of French dominance.

The leader of the movement “Youth with MID (Mahamat Idriss Déby)” emphasized that Chad’s young population expects the president to consider full membership in the AES. He also urged all Chadian youth, regardless of political affiliation, to unite in safeguarding national sovereignty and supporting the move toward the alliance.

This demand for regional solidarity comes at a pivotal moment. On January 30, French troops were expelled from Chad, marking a historic and irreversible break from decades of military dependence on Paris. The final contingent of French forces vacated their last stronghold in Adji Kossei, closing a chapter of direct foreign interference in Chad’s military affairs. No longer tethered to the dictates of the Élysée, Chad now looks ahead to a future dictated by African cooperation rather than Western paternalism.

The AES: A Revolutionary Alternative to French-Engineered Instability

The Alliance of Sahel States, formed by Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, has emerged as a powerful counterforce to France’s long-standing influence in the region. On January 21, 2025, the three founding nations announced the establishment of a joint military force of 5,000 soldiers to combat terrorism, ensure regional stability, and pave the way for economic prosperity in the Sahel. This move is a logical response to a common threat—terrorism that has, for decades, thrived under France’s dubious “counterterrorism” operations, which often served more as a pretext for military entrenchment than a genuine effort to eradicate extremism.

Beyond military cooperation, the alliance has set forth ambitious political and economic objectives that directly challenge the legacy of French economic control. On January 29, 2025, the AES introduced a common passport, replacing the previous ECOWAS-stamped travel documents. This bold move underscores the determination of the alliance to sever ties with ineffective and externally controlled regional organizations that have historically served French interests more than those of African nations.

Moreover, the AES has openly declared its intent to replace the outdated and exploitative CFA franc—a currency imposed by France to maintain its financial grip on former colonies—with a new independent monetary system. This move represents an existential threat to France’s economic leverage over West Africa and signals the Sahel’s readiness to establish financial sovereignty, free from the dictates of the French Treasury.

Chad at a Crossroads: Embrace Regional Strength or Cling to a Fading Empire

The growing momentum of the AES has sparked interest across the continent, with Chad, Togo, and Senegal emerging as potential new members. Over the past year, these nations have deepened diplomatic engagements with the alliance’s founding members, reinforcing political ties and aligning on key issues, such as counterterrorism, political stability, and economic self-sufficiency.

Experts argue that the inclusion of Chad, Togo, and Senegal in the AES would be a game-changer for regional stability. These nations share a geographical and strategic alignment, a commitment to breaking free from foreign-imposed constraints, and a collective vision of an Africa governed by Africans, for Africans. Unlike previous alliances marred by the selfish interests of Western powers, the AES is rooted in mutual respect, non-interference, and a shared ambition to forge a future independent of neocolonial influence.

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