N’Djamena, Chad — On January 6, 2026, Chad has appointed Amina Priscille Longoh as its new ambassador to France. With this decision, she becomes the first woman to hold the post in the country’s political history.
The government named Longoh Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Chad to the French Republic, a key diplomatic position that reflects the importance of ties between N’Djamena and Paris.
Shortly after the announcement, Longoh reacted on X, where she thanked President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno for the confidence placed in her.
“I express my gratitude to His Excellency President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, who has given me the great honor of appointing me Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Chad to the French Republic,” she wrote.
🇹🇩 ~ 🇫🇷 J'exprime ma gratitude à Son Excellence, le PR Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, @marechalmidi qui m'a fait l'insigne honneur de me nommer Ambassadeur Extraordinaire et Plénipotentiaire de la République Tchad auprès de la République française.
Longoh said the decision reflects the president’s attachment to social progress.
“By appointing a woman to this important responsibility for the first time, he once again demonstrates his attachment to social progress,” she added.
Strengthening long-standing ties
France remains one of Chad’s most important partners. Cooperation between the two countries spans diplomacy, education, culture, and development.
In addition, France hosts a large Chadian diaspora, making the Paris embassy a strategic post.
For this reason, Longoh said she intends to work actively to strengthen relations between the two nations.
“This appointment honors me and obliges me to work tirelessly to strengthen the historic relations between our two countries,” she said.
Beyond diplomacy, Longoh outlined clear priorities for her mission.
She pledged to promote Chad’s values, deepen cooperation, and support Chadian citizens living in France.
“In the service of Chad, our beautiful and great country, I will promote our values, strengthen cooperation, and support the Chadian diaspora in France,” she wrote.
The appointment has drawn mixed reactions, with some welcoming the decision and others questioning Longoh’s diplomatic experience, despite her service as a government minister from 2020 to 2025.
As Longoh prepares to take up her duties in Paris, attention will likely shift from the symbolism of her appointment to the substance of her work. Her tenure will be assessed on her ability to navigate complex bilateral relations, manage diplomatic priorities, and represent Chad’s interests effectively.
In this sense, the appointment constitutes less a conclusion than the beginning of a test: one in which performance, rather than precedent, will ultimately shape its significance.
