The Sahel region is witnessing a mounting geopolitical rivalry between Algeria and France. Paris is currently seeking to regain a military foothold in Chad through new defense agreements focused on training, intelligence, and equipment, less than two years after the withdrawal of its forces. Discussions are underway regarding the potential return of surveillance aircraft to N'Djamena. In parallel, Algeria has strengthened its ties with Chad through numerous bilateral agreements and military aid, including donations of helicopters and equipment to support counter-terrorism and border security efforts. Diplomatic analysts suggest that France's efforts to restore its former influence face significant hurdles due to deep political shifts across the region and changing international alliances, indicating that the French return may be limited in scope.