In other statements on Thursday, Koulamallah said France was an "essential partner" but that Chad must "redefine its strategic partnerships according to national priorities". The authorities ...

pointing out that Chad must "build a stronger and better-equipped army to respond to security threats with efficiency." N'Djamena is "not breaking off relations" with Paris, he stressed.

Chad must build an "even stronger, better equipped army" and "forge new alliances based on mutual respect and without losing sight of the demands of independence and sovereignty", he added.