Countries in Francophone Africa have been lining up to chide President Emmanuel Macron of former colonial power France over remarks which are widely seen s condescending.
Macron’s Senegalese and Chadian counterparts have been two of the most vociferous in their criticism.
His statements during the recent Ambassador’s Conference suggesting that Francophone African states would have crumbled if not for the involvement of French troops in those countries struck a raw nerve especially in Chad.
In a speech at the presidential staff’s New Year greeting event, President Mahamat Déby expressed his outrage, condemning Macron’s remarks as “bordering on contempt for Africa and its people.”
He added, “I believe he is out of touch with the times.”
The day before Déby’s remarks, the Chadian government, represented by its foreign minister, had already issued a strong rebuttal to Macron regarding the roles of African governments amid talks about the restructuring of French military presence in the region.
Macron was quoted as saying, “They forgot to thank us, but that’s not important,” in reference to the leaders of Sahelian countries where French forces have been engaged in the fight against terrorism.
The diplomatic tensions come on the heels of Chad’s unexpected announcement in November 2024 to terminate its 60-year military cooperation with France, signalling the central African nation’s intention to “fully and entirely exercise her sovereignty.”
In response, Macron criticized this decision, asserting that “None of them would be a sovereign state if the French army had not deployed in this region [Sahel].”
President Déby firmly reiterated that the decision to sever military ties with France was a matter of national sovereignty.
“It is clear and unequivocal,” he concluded, emphasising Chad’s determination to operate independently in its security and governance policies.
Meanwhile Senegalese prime minister Ousmane Sonko also came down hard on President Macron, strongly rejecting the French leader’s assertion.
The Senegalese PM emphasised the significant contributions of African soldiers in the liberation of France during World War II, often under what he called difficult and exploitative circumstances.
Sonko also accused France of destabilising Libya, highlighting the “disastrous consequences” for regional security.
He further emphasised that Senegal, as a sovereign nation, has the right to determine its own security needs and partnerships.
Macron’s row with the leaders of former French colonies on the continent underscores the growing tensions surrounding France’s military presence in Africa and the increasing assertiveness of African nations to chart their own foreign policy courses.
Chad, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and the Central African Republic are among Francophone countries which have witnessed the exit of French forces in the past few years.
President Alassane Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire last month announced that French forces based in the country for over 60 years would be leaving.
CA/sf/ac/lb/abj/as/APA