President Emmanuel Macron sparked widespread outrage on Tuesday after commenting that African nations “forgot to say thank you” for France’s decade-long military intervention in the Sahel region. His words quickly ignited a firestorm, both within West Africa and at home, where critics accused him of harboring a neo-colonialist mindset.
Macron’s comments were made during a speech to French ambassadors, where he reflected on the military deployment aimed at combating Islamist insurgents in the region. He implied that the African countries failed to express gratitude for France’s involvement, which he claimed was critical to their sovereignty.
The remark comes amid rising anti-French sentiment in the Sahel, following a series of military coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger that led to the withdrawal of French troops. As Russia has expanded its influence, France has increasingly found itself isolated in the region, with Chad and Senegal recently requesting the departure of French forces.
Chad’s President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno condemned Macron’s statement, describing it as outdated and bordering on contempt. He emphasized the need for France to recognize the historical contributions of African nations, particularly during World War II, when African troops played a pivotal role in France’s liberation.
Senegal’s Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, also criticized the president, asserting that France had destabilized several African countries, including Libya, and should not dictate Africa’s security.