Faith Nyasuguta
French President Emmanuel Macron recently lashed out at African leaders over what he described as their “ungratefulness.” Speaking on the development in the region, Macron expressed his frustration with the lack of appreciation for France’s efforts in combating terrorism and supporting security in Africa.
“We had a relationship based on security, it was in fact two-fold. On one hand, it was our engagement against terrorism since 2013. We were right, I think someone forgot to say thank you. It’s okay it will come with time,” Macron stated.
He continued, “Ungratefulness, I know too well is a disease that cannot be transmitted to men but I say this for all African heads of states who have not had courage in the face of public opinion.”
He added that the French army is leaving African countries because the country does not want to help the juntas that came to power with the support of Russia.
Macron’s remarks have sparked a wave of reactions from African leaders, many of whom have criticized his comments as condescending and reminiscent of colonial attitudes.
Chad’s foreign affairs minister, Abderaman Koulamallah, was among the first to respond, accusing Macron of showing contempt towards Africa and Africans. “The government of the Republic of Chad expresses its deep concern following the remarks made recently by the president of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, which reflect a contemptuous attitude towards Africa and Africans,” Koulamallah said in a statement read on state television.
No Real Impact
Koulamallah also highlighted the historical contributions of African nations to France, particularly during the two world wars. “France has never truly recognized the key role played by Africa and Chad in the liberation of France during two world wars,” he noted. Koulamallah further criticized France’s presence in Chad, stating that it had often been limited to its own strategic interests without any real lasting impact for the development of the Chadian people.
The decision marked the end of Chad hosting Paris’s last military bases in the Sahel. Approximately 1,000 French troops stationed in Chad are currently being withdrawn.
French President Emmanuel Macron, addressing the diplomatic corps on Monday, defended France’s broader interventions in the Sahel. He claimed no country in the region would be sovereign without France’s intervention in Mali in 2013, which repelled a rebel offensive and led to the deployment of troops across neighbouring countries.
However, France’s military presence in Africa is being restructured after being expelled from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, where military governments are increasingly hostile to Paris. Senegal and Cote d’Ivoire also ordered the removal of French military bases from their territories.
Not long ago in Mali, where French troops were deployed to combat Islamist militants, Malian officials pointed out that the French military intervention had not led to lasting peace and stability in the region. “The presence of French troops did not bring the desired peace and security. Instead, it has often exacerbated tensions and conflicts,” a Malian government spokesperson said.
Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has been vocal about his stance on France’s military presence in Senegal. In a New Year’s address on December 31, 2024, Faye announced that all foreign military presences in Senegal will end by 2025. He emphasized that this decision aligns with his administration’s commitment to national sovereignty and reducing dependence on foreign powers.
Faye has instructed the Minister of Armed Forces to draft a new defense and security cooperation policy, marking a significant shift in Senegal’s approach to foreign military involvement. He stated, “Senegal is an independent country, it is a sovereign country and sovereignty does not accept the presence of military bases in a sovereign country.”
In Niger, where French troops were expelled following a military takeover, the new military rulers have been vocal in their criticism of France’s role in the region. “The people of Niger have spoken, and they no longer want foreign troops on their soil. It is time for us to take control of our own destiny and address our security challenges independently,” a Nigerien military official declared.
For ten years, the French state has been actively involved in military operations in the Sahel region, seeking to counter jihadist groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. During this period, 58 French soldiers were killed in the conflict zone.
As the debate continues, it is clear that Macron’s comments have struck a nerve, highlighting the deep-seated tensions and historical grievances that continue to shape relations between France and its former colonies.
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