Macron Accuses Africans of ‘Ingratitude’ for French Military Aid

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French President Emmanuel Macron has drawn sharp criticism from African leaders and activists over comments suggesting a lack of gratitude from Sahel nations for France’s military support in combating Islamist extremism. Macron’s remarks, made during a conference with French ambassadors in Paris on Monday, have been widely condemned as dismissive and paternalistic.

Macron claimed that French forces, deployed since 2013 in the Sahel region to address terrorism and instability, were instrumental in preserving the sovereignty of the nations involved. “I think someone forgot to say thank you,” Macron said, adding, “Ingratitude, I am well placed to know, is a disease not transmissible to man.” He also rejected claims that French troops were expelled, attributing their withdrawal to a series of coups in the region.

“We were there at the request of sovereign states,” Macron said. “From the moment there were coups d’état, and when people said, ‘Our priority is no longer the fight against terrorism,’ France no longer had a place there because we are not the auxiliaries of putschists.”

Macron’s comments were swiftly rebuked by African leaders, including Chad’s foreign affairs minister, Abderaman Koulamallah, who described the French president’s statements as embodying “a contemptuous attitude towards Africa and Africans.” Koulamallah accused France of prioritizing its strategic interests over genuine support for African nations.

“In 60 years of existence, marked by civil wars, rebellions, and prolonged political instability, French contributions have often been limited to its own strategic interests, with no real lasting impact on the development of the Chadian people,” Koulamallah said.

Chad announced in November it would terminate its defense cooperation agreement with France, signaling its intent to reassert national sovereignty.

Similarly, Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko rejected Macron’s claims, affirming that Senegal’s decision to close all foreign military bases, including French ones, reflects its independence and sovereignty. “France has neither the capacity nor the legitimacy to ensure Africa’s security and sovereignty,” Sonko stated.Macron Accuses Africans of ‘Ingratitude’ for French Military Aid

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Macron’s comments have also sparked outrage among activists. Togolese writer and activist Farida Bemba Nabourema described the French president’s remarks as “revisionist, intellectually dishonest, and morally bankrupt.” She criticized the implication that African sovereignty depended on French intervention, calling it a denial of the complexities and resilience of African states.

French troops have been withdrawing from several West African nations, including Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali, following growing anti-French sentiment and political upheavals. Similar withdrawals are underway in Chad, Ivory Coast, and Senegal.

Macron, however, downplayed these developments, insisting that France’s influence in Africa is not waning but merely being “reorganized.”

The fallout from Macron’s statements reflects the evolving dynamics between France and its former colonies. Many African nations are seeking to redefine their relationships with France, emphasizing self-reliance and sovereignty. Activists and leaders alike argue that France’s historical approach to the continent has often prioritized its geopolitical interests over meaningful partnerships.

Macron’s comments have underscored the growing disconnect between France and many African nations, further straining a relationship already under scrutiny. As countries in the Sahel and beyond navigate complex challenges, calls for a more equitable and respectful approach to international cooperation continue to grow.

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