Chad’s government says it is ending a defense cooperation agreement with France, its former colonial ruler, to redefine the nation's sovereignty.

France said on Friday it took note of a decision by Chad to end its defence cooperation with Paris and would now work with it to implement the decision, the foreign ministry said.

Chad is a key partner in the West's fight against Islamist militants in the West African Sahel region. But prior to the presidential election in May, Chad's authorities ordered the withdrawal of US troops from the country,