An article from CSM on the Chadian military:
The Chadians have proved to be a useful partner not only because of their decades of experience fighting in a similar climate and terrain, but because they have spent much of the past decade fighting a panoply of rebel groups in their own country, many of which preferred to operate as light and mobile units, using tactics similar to those currently employed by the jihadis in Mali.
Then there is an ex-DoD regional expert, Rudy Atallah:
It depends how you define effective. In terms of aggressive team players supporting the French, they are doing a great job. If the definition is based purely on capability to continue the fight on their own, I don't think they can survive. Chadian troops are a blunt edge and good scouts for the French, but they couldn't be as effective without French intel, guidance, and air power.
Link:http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Afric...ner-for-France