French President Emmanuel Macron recently made remarks in which he implied that African countries were ungrateful for France's assistance in fighting Islamic terrorist insurgencies in the Sahel area. Senegal and Chad have responded strongly to these remarks.
According to Macron, who was addressing at the annual ambassadors' conference in Paris, the Sahel nations had "forgotten" to express gratitude to France for its military involvement that had rescued the area from terrorist domination. He said that these countries would not have independence if France hadn't stepped in today. Macron went on to say that he was frustrated that African leaders weren't more appreciative.
Foreign Minister Abdulrahman Koulamallah of Chad hit back, saying Macron's comments showed a "contemptuous attitude" toward Africa. "French leaders must learn to respect the African people and recognize the value of their sacrifices," Koulamallah declared on national TV.
French destabilization of African nations like Libya, according to Senegal's Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, has catastrophic regional repercussions. "France lacks the ability and the right to guarantee the security and sovereignty of Africa," Sonko said, denying Macron's assertion over Senegal's request for the withdrawal of French soldiers. The decision to close French military sites in Senegal was decided unilaterally, he said.
While both Koulamallah and Sonko emphasized the role of African troops in global wars, Sonko went on to say, "Had African soldiers not been deployed to defend France, it would perhaps still be German today." This was in reference to the fact that African soldiers had defended France during WWII.
A number of African nations have lately severed their security relations with France, and this criticism follows a pattern. These nations include Senegal, Chad, and the Ivory Coast. In the wake of coups in neighboring countries, France has been asked to withdraw its forces from Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali. Russia has become an attractive military partner for some of these countries as France's influence declines in the area.
The remarks made by Macron are part of a larger trend in the geopolitical climate of Africa, where several African leaders are trying to renegotiate their ties to countries that were formerly colonized.
According to Macron, who was addressing at the annual ambassadors' conference in Paris, the Sahel nations had "forgotten" to express gratitude to France for its military involvement that had rescued the area from terrorist domination. He said that these countries would not have independence if France hadn't stepped in today. Macron went on to say that he was frustrated that African leaders weren't more appreciative.
Foreign Minister Abdulrahman Koulamallah of Chad hit back, saying Macron's comments showed a "contemptuous attitude" toward Africa. "French leaders must learn to respect the African people and recognize the value of their sacrifices," Koulamallah declared on national TV.
French destabilization of African nations like Libya, according to Senegal's Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, has catastrophic regional repercussions. "France lacks the ability and the right to guarantee the security and sovereignty of Africa," Sonko said, denying Macron's assertion over Senegal's request for the withdrawal of French soldiers. The decision to close French military sites in Senegal was decided unilaterally, he said.
While both Koulamallah and Sonko emphasized the role of African troops in global wars, Sonko went on to say, "Had African soldiers not been deployed to defend France, it would perhaps still be German today." This was in reference to the fact that African soldiers had defended France during WWII.
A number of African nations have lately severed their security relations with France, and this criticism follows a pattern. These nations include Senegal, Chad, and the Ivory Coast. In the wake of coups in neighboring countries, France has been asked to withdraw its forces from Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali. Russia has become an attractive military partner for some of these countries as France's influence declines in the area.
The remarks made by Macron are part of a larger trend in the geopolitical climate of Africa, where several African leaders are trying to renegotiate their ties to countries that were formerly colonized.
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