FRENCH President Emmanuel Macron is facing a strong backlash from Senegal and Chad after he suggested that Sahelian countries had forgotten to thank France for its role in combating jihadist insurgencies in West Africa. The comments, made on Monday, come amid France’s ongoing military withdrawal from the region.
Macron claimed that without France’s intervention, no Sahelian nation would have been sovereign today, arguing that French troops were instrumental in preventing these countries from falling under militant control. His remarks were made during an annual ambassadors’ conference in Paris, where he also rejected the notion that France had been forced to leave the region.
The comments quickly sparked outrage from African leaders. Chad’s Foreign Minister Abderaman Koulamallah denounced Macron’s words as ‘contemptuous’ and called for France to show respect towards Africa and acknowledge the sacrifices made by African people. ‘French leaders must learn to respect the African people,’ he said, urging recognition of the contributions made by Africa’s soldiers, particularly during the World Wars.
Senegal’s Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, also reacted sharply, accusing France of destabilising African nations, particularly Libya, with disastrous consequences for regional security. He stated that France had neither the legitimacy nor the capacity to ensure Africa’s sovereignty. ‘France has no place in ensuring our security,’ Sonko declared, referencing Senegal’s decision to ask French troops to leave the country.
Macron’s remarks about African leaders not having the ‘courage’ to acknowledge France’s role in their sovereignty are seen as a sign of growing tensions between the former colonial power and its ex-colonies. In recent years, several African nations, including Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, have expelled French troops following coups, while Chad, Senegal, and Cote d’Ivoire have terminated security agreements.
As France’s influence in the region declines, accusations of neo-colonialism and exploitation are intensifying, particularly as military juntas in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso turn to Russia for support. Macron’s comments have intensified debates about France’s role in Africa and its future relationships with former colonies.
The diplomatic fallout from Macron’s remarks highlights the ongoing shift in West Africa, where countries are increasingly asserting their sovereignty and seeking new alliances beyond France.
