Macron's Comments on African Leaders Draw Backlash from Chad and Senegal

Remarks about African leaders' 'ingratitude' for French military intervention provoke diplomatic tensions and accusations of neocolonial attitudes.

French President Emmanuel Macron stated that African leaders had 'forgotten to thank' France for its military interventions in the Sahel since 2013, sparking widespread criticism.
Chad's foreign minister condemned Macron's remarks as 'contemptuous,' emphasizing the sacrifices of African soldiers during World Wars and accusing France of prioritizing its own strategic interests in Africa.
Senegal's Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko rejected Macron's claim that the withdrawal of French troops from Senegal was negotiated, asserting the decision was made independently by Senegal as a sovereign nation.
The French left-wing party La France Insoumise criticized Macron's comments as reflecting 'neocolonial paternalism' and warned of their negative impact on France's relations with African nations.
The withdrawal of French troops from Chad, Senegal, and other African nations marks a broader shift in France's military presence in the region, following tensions with governments and growing local opposition.