Macron's Comments on Africa Draw Widespread Condemnation from Sahel Nations

African leaders criticize French President Emmanuel Macron for remarks perceived as dismissive, escalating tensions and prompting calls for military withdrawals.

Burkina Faso's junta leader Ibrahim Traoré accused Macron of insulting Africans, following remarks on 'ingratitude' regarding French military interventions in the Sahel.
Relations between France and several Sahel nations, including Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, have deteriorated since 2022, leading to the expulsion of French troops from these countries.
Tchad and Sénégal have also demanded the closure of French military bases, with Tchad setting a deadline for troop withdrawal by the end of January 2025.
Macron's comments about granting African nations 'the primacy of the announcement' of France's military reorganization have been criticized as patronizing by African leaders.
France plans to retain only one major military base in Africa, located in Djibouti, as it continues to scale back its presence across the continent.

Le Journal du Dimanche