The decision by Chad is another blow to what remained of France’s military influence in the troubled stretch of countries below the Sahara, where Russia’s influence has been growing.

A French plan to significantly reduce its military presence in West and central Africa risks backfiring and further diminishing the former colonial power's influence in the region at a time when Russia is gaining ground.

On Monday, Jean-Marie Bockel, Mr Macron’s special envoy for Africa, handed him a report on reshaping France’s military presence in the continent. It recommends a “drastic reduction” of France’s military presence in Senegal, Gabon, the Ivory Coast and Chad.