Macron’s Comments on Sahel Intervention Spark Backlash from Chad and Senegal – Africa.com
Chadian Foreign Minister Abdelrahmane Kouramala has criticized French President Emmanuel Macron for his “contemptuous attitude” towards Africa. Macron has previously commented that African leaders were unaware of France’s military aid to jihadist insurgencies in the Sahel region. Kulamala highlighted Africa’s contribution to France during the two world wars, which he said Paris had never really acknowledged. He also accused France of putting its strategic interests ahead of Chad’s development during its presence in the country. Chad recently terminated its defense agreement with France and is withdrawing French troops from its territory. Macron’s comments also prompted a backlash from Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, who rejected claims that French intervention would help safeguard African sovereignty. France is currently reassessing its military presence in Africa after being ousted by military juntas in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, with Senegal and Ivory Coast also seeking to withdraw their troops.
source: France 24
