Photo : Reuters
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Reuters
IN BRIEF
By Sayeka Ghosh
Sudan: SAF captures Wad Madani from RSF
On 12 January, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) captured Wad Madani city in the Gezira state from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The RSF leader, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, acknowledged the loss and promised to continue the fight until victory, even if it took 20 more years. Apart from its proximity to Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, the city connects multiple states through its highways. (Jake Lapham and Youssef Taha, “Sudanese army captures key city from rebels,” BBC, 12 January 2025)
Chad: French withdrawl from Abeche base
On 12 January, Africanews reported on the French military’s withdrawal from its base in Chad’s Abeche city. The ceremony was attended by Chad’s Minister of Defence, Issaka Maroua Djamous. After handing over the camp, Commander of French Forces in the Sahel, Colonel Boris Pomirol, stated that France’s friendly relations with Chad would endure “despite the departure of our troops.” Pomirol acknowledged that the French withdrawal symbolised Chad’s growing capabilities and ability to face the region’s security and humanitarian challenges. Furthermore, he insisted that the departure was “not a farewell from France, but a ‘see you later’ from its soldiers.” Two days before the handover, the troops sent their containers and heavy equipment to N’Djamena to be shipped to France via Cameroon. Previously, the base in Abeche was the site of frequent anti-French protests. (“France hands over Abeché base ahead of troop withdrawal,” Africanews, 12 December 2025)
Chad: President Deby’s party wins majority in disputed parliamentary elections
On 12 January, Al Jazeera reported that Chad’s President, Mahamat Idriss Deby, and his party, the Patriotic Salvation Movement secured a majority in the parliamentary elections, winning 124 out of 188 seats in the National Assembly. However, the elections, held on 29 December, had been boycotted by over ten opposition parties. These included the Transformers Party, whose candidate, Success Masra, previously secured second in Chad’s disputed 2024 presidential election. The Transformers denounced the results and called it a “charade.” The voter turnot was recorded at 51.56 per cent by the Electoral Commission. President Deby stated that the election would “pave the way for the era of decentralisation so long-awaited and desired by the Chadian people.” His party claimed that the polls marked the final stage of the country’s democratic transition. (“Chad’s ruling party wins majority in controversial parliamentary election,” Al Jazeera, 12 January 2025)