Senegal and Chad have reacted strongly to French President Emmanuel Macron’s comments that African countries are ungrateful for France’s role in supporting the fight against extremist jihadist rebels.
President Macron said on Monday that Sahel countries had “forgotten” to appreciate France’s role as French troops continue to withdraw from the West African nation.
He said the Sahel countries would not become sovereign states without French intervention to prevent them from falling under the control of extremists.
In response, Chad’s Foreign Minister Abderrahmane Kouramala said Macron’s comments revealed his contempt for Africa.
“Chad expresses deep concern following (the French president’s) recent comments that reflect a disparaging attitude towards Africa and Africans,” he said in a statement on state television.
“French leaders must learn to respect African people and recognize the value of their sacrifices,” he said.
Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko said France had contributed in the past to “destabilizing some African countries, such as Libya”, with “dire consequences” for regional security.
“France has neither the capacity nor the legitimacy to ensure Africa’s security and sovereignty,” he said in a statement.
Macron made the comments at the annual conference of ambassadors in Paris, saying France was rebuilding its strategic interests in the region and rejected the idea that it had been forced to withdraw from Africa.
French troops were sent to Mali in 2013 to counter an Islamist insurgency. A year later, the mission was expanded to other countries in the region, including Niger and Burkina Faso.
“(The deployment) was the right thing to do. I think someone forgot to say thank you. Time will tell,” Macron said on Monday.
“But I say this to all African heads of state who did not have the courage to take such a view in the face of public opinion. If French troops had not been deployed in the region, we would not be able to maintain our sovereignty today. There would have been no nation.”
Sonko said Macron’s comments about Senegal’s decision to ask French troops to withdraw were “completely wrong.”
He said there were no negotiations with France regarding the move to close military bases in the country.
He said the decision stemmed from Senegal’s “sole will as a free, independent and sovereign state.”
Both Sonko and Kouramala also mentioned the role of African soldiers in liberating France during the World War.
“If African soldiers had not been sent to defend France during World War II, sometimes forcibly mobilized, abused, and ultimately betrayed, we would probably still be in the German army. Yes,” Sonko said.
Chad, Senegal and Ivory Coast recently ended their security agreements with France, while Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger ordered French troops to withdraw following the coup.
France’s influence in the region has declined in recent years amid accusations of neo-colonialism and exploitative relationships with former colonies.
The military-led governments of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have moved closer to Russia after France withdrew from their countries.
Chad’s foreign minister said on Monday that France’s contribution in the country was limited to “its own strategic interests,” even though the country has tackled instability and other issues during their 60-year partnership. said.
Chad ended its defense pact with France in November, saying “the time has come for Chad to assert full sovereignty and redefine our strategic partnership in accordance with our national priorities.”
