Macron's statement about ungrateful Africans ensures outrage

Macron's statement about ungrateful Africans ensures outrage

Governments in Africa sharply criticized the recent statements by French President Emmanuel Macron. In a speech, he said that some African leaders showed "ungrateful" for the use of French troops in the Sahel, which were sent to combat Islamist extremism.

Macron's criticism of African leaders

At a conference for French ambassadors in Paris on Monday, Macron explained that the Sahel countries who suffer from civil wars and violent extremism had only been confident because of the presence of French troops. In addition, he rejected the idea that French troops from the region had been expelled, while the influence of France was disappearing on his former colonies.

words of the French President

"We had a security relationship that was based on two aspects: our commitment to terrorism since 2013. I think someone has forgotten to say thank you. It doesn't matter, it will come over time," said Macron at the conference. He added: "Ungracilities, I know that well, is an illness that is not transferable to humans."

reactions from African countries

Macron's statements were convicted by Chad's Foreign Minister Abderaman Koulamallah, who accused the French President of taking a “contemptuous attitude towards Africa and Africans”. Macron led the leaving of the French troops from the region back to successive coupons and explained: "We have retreated because there were catering. On request, we were on site. From the moment when there was coupons and the priority was no longer the fighting of terrorism, France no longer had a place because we did not have the helpers from Putschisten are. “

withdrawal of French troops

In recent years, French troops have withdrawn from Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali after states in these West African countries, which resulted in a widespread anti-French mood. They also prepare their retreat from Chad, the Ivory Coast and Senegal. French troops also left the Central African Republic in 2022 after they have been in use since 2013.

criticism of French commitment

Macron emphasized that "none of them would be a sovereign country today if the French army had not been used in the region" and showed sympathy for the soldiers "who sometimes gave their lives and fought for years." However, Koulamallah pointed out that “France never significantly equipped the Chadische Army or contributed to its structural development.”

chad ends defense cooperation with France

In November, Chad announced that it will end his defense cooperation with France to emphasize its own sovereignty. However, Macron insisted that France's influence in Africa does not take off, but only reorganized. This view was rejected by Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, who explained that Senegal's decision to close all foreign military bases, including the French, came from the free will of the country.

reactions of activists

African activists are also outraged by Macron's statements. The Togolese writer and social activist Farida Bemba Nabourema commented: "Macron's statement that African leaders should be grateful for France's military interventions is profound revisionism and moral bankruptcy." It criticized paternalistic rhetoric, which African nations represents as unable to self -government.

alternatives to western influence

More and more Sahel countries are looking for support from Russia and have signed military partnerships with Moscow. Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, who are ruled by military juntas, have received Russian military instructors from the controversial group Wagner. These changes reflect the desire for less western influence and changes made in the security architecture of the region.