Senegal and Chad have issued strong responses to recent remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron, who criticized African nations for being ungrateful toward France’s role in combating militant jihadist insurgencies.
Speaking on Monday, Macron asserted that the Sahel states had “forgotten” to express gratitude for France’s intervention, amid the ongoing withdrawal of French troops from West African nations. He argued that no Sahelian country would remain sovereign without France’s military assistance, which he claimed prevented them from succumbing to militant control.
Chad’s Foreign Minister Abderaman Koulamallah reacted sharply, describing Macron’s comments as evidence of disdain toward Africa.
“Chad expresses its deep concern following the remarks made recently by [the French president], which reflect a contemptuous attitude towards Africa and Africans,” Koulamallah stated on national television. He added that “French leaders must learn to respect the African people and recognise the value of their sacrifices.”
