More than 400 former workers of French military bases in Chad have called on the government for financial support following the closure of the bases and troop withdrawals. Many gathered in N’Djamena on Monday, urging authorities to address their sudden unemployment.
The affected workers are appealing for job placements and benefits equivalent to what they received while employed by the French forces. They argue that the government must step in to cushion the economic impact of their job losses.
The French withdrawal marks a major shift in Chad’s security landscape, with the last troops leaving on January 31 as per President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno’s directive. The former workers now await a response from the government regarding their demands.