Chad’s Foreign Minister, Abderaman Koulamallah, has criticized French President Emmanuel Macron for what he called a “contemptuous attitude” towards Africa. The rebuke followed Macron’s comments that African leaders had failed to appreciate France’s military aid against jihadist insurgencies in the Sahel. Koulamallah highlighted Africa’s contributions to France during both World Wars, which, he said, Paris never really acknowledged. He also accused France of prioritizing its strategic interests over Chad’s development during its presence in the country. Chad recently ended its defense agreements with France and is in the process of withdrawing French troops from its territory. Macron’s remarks also drew backlash from Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, who rejected claims that France’s interventions helped preserve African sovereignty. France is now reevaluating its military presence in Africa after being expelled by juntas in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, with Senegal and Ivory Coast also seeking troop withdrawals.
Source: FRANCE 24
