French President Emmanuel Macron accused of ‘contempt’ over Africa remarks

Senegal and Chad have reacted sharply to French President Emmanuel Macron’s comments about the ungratefulness of African countries for France’s role in helping fight militant jihadists.

Macron said on Monday that Sahel countries had “forgotten” to thank France for its role amid the ongoing withdrawal of French troops from West African countries.

He said no Sahelian nation would be a sovereign nation without the intervention of France, which prevented them from falling under militant control.

In response, Chadian Foreign Minister Abderaman Kulamala said Macron’s comments revealed his contempt for Africa.

“Chad expresses its deep concern at the remarks made recently (by the French president), which reflect a contemptuous attitude towards Africa and Africans,” he said in a statement on national television.

He said that “French leaders must learn to respect the African people and recognize the value of their sacrifices.”

Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonka said that in the past France had contributed to the “destabilization of some African countries such as Libya”, which had “catastrophic consequences” for the region’s security.

“France has neither the capacity nor the legitimacy to ensure the security and sovereignty of Africa,” he said in a statement.

Macron made his comments at the annual ambassadors’ conference in Paris, saying France was reorganizing its strategic interests in the region and rejecting the idea that it had been forced out of Africa.

French troops were sent to Mali in 2013 in response to an Islamist insurgency. A year later, the mission was expanded to include other countries in the region, including Niger and Burkina Faso.

“We were right (to deploy). I think someone forgot to say thank you. It’s okay, it will come with time,” Macron said on Monday.

“But I say this on behalf of all African heads of state who did not have the courage to take this view in front of public opinion. None of them would be sovereign countries today if the French army had not been deployed in the region. “

Sonka said that in the event of Senegal’s decision to ask French troops to leave the country, Macron’s remarks were “completely wrong”.

He said there had been no negotiations with France regarding the closure of its military bases in the country.

He said the decision was based on “the exclusive will of Senegal as a free, independent and sovereign country”.

Both Sonka and Kulamalla also mentioned the role of African soldiers in liberating France in the world wars.

“If African soldiers, sometimes forcibly mobilized, mistreated and ultimately betrayed, had not been deployed during World War II to defend France, it might still be German today,” Sonka said.

Chad, Senegal and Ivory Coast recently ended security agreements with France, while Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger ordered French troops out of the country after the coup.

In recent years, France’s influence in the region has been waning amid accusations of neo-colonialism and exploitative relations with former colonies.

The junta-led governments of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have become closer to Russia following France’s withdrawal from their countries.

Chad’s foreign minister said on Monday that France’s contribution to the country was limited by “its own strategic interests”, even as Chad has struggled with instability and other challenges during the 60-year partnership.

In November, Chad ended its defense agreement with France, saying “it is time for Chad to assert its full sovereignty and review its strategic partnership in line with national priorities.”