Popular forces struggling against French neocolonialism in Chad explain to Peoples Dispatch the conjuncture that brought the Chadian president to end military ties with former colonizer France.

While threatening war against Niger, ostensibly to restore democracy, France continues to back the military junta of Mahamat Deby which is accused of killing at least 128 pro-democracy protesters last year. However, anger against the junta and soaring anti-French sentiment threatens its military presence in the country