Senegal and Chad strongly responded to French President Emmanuel Macron's words about African countries not being grateful for France's role in helping to fight Jihadist rebels.
On Monday, Macron said the Sahel had “forgotten” to thank France for its role, amid the withdrawal of French troops from West African countries.
He said that no Sahelian nation will become an independent country without the intervention of France that prevented them from coming under the control of terrorists.
In response, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Chad, Abderaman Koulamallah, said that Macron's comments showed his disdain for Africa.
“Chad expresses its deep concern following the statements recently made by [the French president]which shows an attitude of contempt for Africa and Africans,” he said in a statement on national television.
He said “French leaders must learn to respect African people and realize the value of their sacrifice”.
The Prime Minister of Senegal, Ousmane Sonko, said that in the past France was involved in the “demolition of some African countries such as Libya” which had “bad consequences” for security in the region.
“France has no power or authority to guarantee the security and sovereignty of Africa,” he said in a statement.
Macron made his comments at the annual diplomatic conference in Paris, saying that France is restructuring its strategic goals in the region and rejects the idea that it is forced to withdraw from Africa.
French troops were sent to Mali in 2013 due to an Islamist insurgency. A year later the mission was expanded to cover other countries in the region, including Niger and Burkina Faso.
“We were right [to deploy]. I think someone forgot to thank you. “Okay, it will come in time,” Macron said on Monday.
“But I say this to all the leaders of African countries who did not have the courage in the face of public opinion to hold that opinion. None of them would be an independent country today if the French army had not been deployed in the region.”
Sonko said that in the context of Senegal's decision to ask French troops to leave, Macron's speech was “absolutely wrong”.
He said there was no discussion with France about the move to close its military bases in the country.
He also said that this decision stems from the determination of Senegal as a free, independent and independent country.
Both Sonko and Koulamallah also mentioned the role of African soldiers in liberating France from the world wars.
“If African soldiers, sometimes forcibly recruited, mistreated and ultimately betrayed, had not been sent during the Second World War to protect France, they would, perhaps, still be Germans today,” said Sonko.
Chad, Senegal and Ivory Coast recently ended security deals with France – while Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger told French troops to leave following coups.
France's influence in the region has been waning in recent years, amid allegations of neo-colonialism and exploitative relations with its former colonies.
Junta-led governments in Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have moved closer to Russia after France withdrew from their countries.
On Monday, Chad's foreign minister said that France's contribution to the country is limited to its “strategic interest” as Chad has faced instability and other problems during its 60-year relationship.
Chad ended its defense agreement with France in November, saying “it is time for Chad to assert its full sovereignty and redefine its strategic relationship in terms of national priorities”.
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