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, as well as warplanes.
In a statement, Chad's foreign ministry said the country wants to fully assert its sovereignty after more than six decades of independence, a sentiment echoed on the streets of N'Djamena on Friday:
"I think the Chadian government is right to demand the departure of French troops," says student Djata Grace, adding: "The government is right--we need to start developing now and be truly independent."
Chad has been a key Western ally in the fight against Islamic militants in the region.
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:: Russian Pool
But it has moved closer to Russia in recent years.
It said ending the deal would allow it to redefine its strategic partnerships.
:: Niamey, Niger
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The decision is another nail in the coffin of France's historic and colonial role in West and Central Africa after being forced to pull its troops out of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso following military coups.
France said on Friday it took note of the decision by Chad and would work with the country to implement it, the foreign ministry said.
The statement said Paris had already been working on reconfiguring its African military presence for two years.
