French President Emmanuel Macron is facing strong criticism from Senegal and Chad following remarks he made about African nations’ perceived ingratitude towards France’s role in combating militant jihadist insurgencies in the Sahel region.
Speaking at an annual ambassadors’ conference in Paris on Monday, Macron stated that Sahelian states had “forgotten” to thank France for its intervention that, according to him, prevented the region from falling under militant control.
“No Sahelian nation would be a sovereign country today if the French army hadn’t deployed in the region,” Macron declared, adding, “I think someone forgot to say thank you. It’s ok, it will come with time.”
However, his comments have sparked outrage. Chad’s Foreign Minister Abderaman Koulamallah responded, condemning Macron’s statement as an expression of “contempt for Africa and Africans.”
He further stated that French leaders must learn to “respect the African people and recognise the value of their sacrifices.”
Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko also condemned the remarks, accusing France of contributing to the destabilization of African nations like Libya, which led to “disastrous consequences” for regional security. He added, “France has neither the capacity nor the legitimacy to ensure Africa’s security and sovereignty.” Sonko also emphasized that Senegal’s decision to ask French troops to leave was made independently, asserting the country’s sovereignty.
Both Koulamallah and Sonko pointed to the historical contributions of African soldiers during World War II, with Sonko reminding Macron that without the support of African soldiers, “France would perhaps still be German today.”
The dispute comes amid growing anti-French sentiment in the region, with Chad, Senegal, and Ivory Coast recently ending security agreements with France. Meanwhile, the junta-led governments of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have moved closer to Russia after French troops were expelled from their countries following military coups.
Chad’s government also voiced its concerns about France’s actions in the country, calling its contributions over the past 60 years more focused on France’s strategic interests than on fostering genuine partnership with Chad.
