Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby has ordered the withdrawal of French troops, citing that the decades-long defense pact no longer addresses Chad’s escalating security concerns, including terrorism.

The central African state first announced that it was ending military ties with France last week. The announcement came after French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot visited Chad and was told that Chad's military is strong enough to protect civilians and their property, according to government officials.

French President Emmanuel Macron poses with Chad's President General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno at the 19th Francophonie Summit of French-speaking nations in the castle of Villers-Cotterets, France, October 4,

Deby stated that the agreement no longer served Chad's security or geopolitical interests. Despite over a decade of fighting a jihadist insurgency, support from French and U.S. troops has not succeeded in stabilizing the country.