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Senegal and Chad have expressed interest in what French President Emmanuel Macron said about African countries being ungrateful for France’s role in helping fight against Jihadist terrorists.
On Monday, Macron said the Sahel had “forgotten” to thank France for its role, while continuing the withdrawal of French troops from West African countries.
He also said that no Sahelian country can be an independent country without the intervention of France which prevents them from falling into the hands of terrorists.
In response, Chad’s Foreign Minister, Abderaman Koulamallah, said Macron’s comments showed his disdain for Africa.
“Chad expresses its deep concern following the recent statements by [the French president]which shows a derogatory attitude towards Africans and Africans,” he said in his speech on national TV.
He said “French leaders must learn to respect the African people and realize the importance of their sacrifices”.
Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko said France had previously helped “destabilize other African countries such as Libya” which posed “dangers” to the region’s security.
“France has neither the power nor the legitimacy to ensure Africa’s security and freedom,” he said in a statement.
Macron made his comments at the annual diplomatic conference in Paris, saying that France is renewing its interests in the region and rejecting the idea of being forced out of Africa.
French troops were sent to Mali in 2013 in response to Islamist insurgency. A year later the project 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 to all the African leaders who do not have the courage in front of the people to have this opinion. None of them would be an independent country today if the French troops had not been sent to the region.”
Sonko said regarding Senegal’s decision to ask French troops to leave, Macron’s comments were “very wrong”.
He said there have been no discussions with France regarding the closure of its military bases in the country.
He said that the decision was based on “Senegal’s sole will as a free, independent and independent country”.
Both Sonko and Koulamallah also mentioned the role of African soldiers in the liberation of France from the world wars.
“If African soldiers, who were sometimes coerced, tortured and betrayed, had not been sent to the Second World War to defend France, they would probably be Germans today,” Sonko said.
Chad, Senegal and the Ivory Coast have recently ended their security alliance with France – while Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have told French troops to withdraw in pursuit of rebels.
France’s influence in the region has waned in recent years, amid accusations of neo-colonialism and oppressive relations with its former territories.
Junta-led governments in Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have moved closer to Russia after France left their countries.
On Monday, Chad’s foreign minister said France’s aid to the country was limited to “its interests” as Chad grapples with instability and other challenges in its 60-year-old alliance.
Chad ended its agreement with France in November, saying it was “time for Chad to show that it has full independence and redefine its agreement according to the country’s needs”.
