Chad has ended its long-standing military partnership with France. The move is the latest blow to France’s colonial legacy in the Sahel region and follows the expulsion of French troops from Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. Residents in Chad’s capital N’Djamena voiced their support.

Djata Grâce: “I think the Chadian government is right to demand the departure of French troops, because Chad has already had 66 years of independence, and the French troops are only here to plunder Chadian resources. They have nothing positive to offer. Since their presence, we have faced attacks around the lake, but we have received no positive response. So the government is right: We need to start developing now and be truly independent.”

The announcement by Chad was made Thursday, hours after a visit by the French foreign minister. France currently has around 1,000 troops stationed in Chad, which won its independence from France in 1960.