Senegal also requests departure of French troops, saying it is ‘not compatible’ with country’s sovereignty

France has begun recalling its military assets from its former ally Chad, the latest blow to its dwindling influence across its former colonies in Africa.

Two Mirage fighter jets returned to a base in eastern France on Tuesday, said the army spokesperson Col Guillaume Vernet. “It marks the beginning of the return of French equipment stationed in [Chadian capital] N’Djamena,” Vernet said.