French President Emmanuel Macron is facing a backlash from two African nations, Chad and Senegal, after making controversial comments about the withdrawal of French military forces from Africa. Macron’s remarks, which he framed as a defense of France’s role in the region, were sharply criticized by both countries, whose leaders accused him of disrespecting Africa and undermining their sovereignty.
In a statement made in Paris, Macron suggested that some African leaders had shown “ingratitude” toward France, while insisting that the presence of French troops in Africa was essential to their sovereignty. He also claimed that the troop withdrawals, which are part of a broader French military drawdown in the region, were part of negotiations with the African nations involved.
Macron’s statements drew immediate condemnation from Senegal’s Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, who labeled the French president’s assertions as “completely erroneous.” Sonko firmly rejected the idea that Senegal’s decision to reduce the French military presence was in any way a negotiated process with France, instead emphasizing Senegal’s independence in making such decisions. He added, “We are a sovereign nation, and any decision we make regarding foreign military presence is ours alone.”
The Senegalese Prime Minister did not stop there. He further accused France of causing instability in Africa, using Libya as a key example of the negative consequences of French involvement on the continent. “It is clear to us that the interventions of France, especially in Libya, have contributed to the destabilization of the region. Macron’s comments are just another attempt to ignore the reality of France’s complicity in these crises,” Sonko said.
The response from Chad was equally forceful. Abderaman Koulamallah, Chad’s Foreign Minister, joined the chorus of criticism, calling Macron’s comments “disrespectful” and pointing out that they undermined the sacrifices made by African countries, including Chad, during both World Wars. Chad, which has long been a key ally of France in the Sahel, has had a complex relationship with French military presence.
Koulamallah made it clear that Chad’s decision to remove French forces was not the result of external pressures but a decision made to protect national interests. He criticized the French military presence in the country, stating that it primarily served French objectives and did little to promote local development. “Chad’s relationship with France should not be defined by military presence that benefits France more than it does Chad,” he said. “Our sacrifices should not be reduced to mere dependence on foreign powers.”
Chad’s decision to expel French forces is in line with the broader trend of African nations reassessing their relationships with former colonial powers, particularly in light of recent geopolitical shifts. As part of this re-evaluation, Chad’s forces are set to withdraw from their last remaining base in the country by January 31, 2025. This move marks a significant moment in Chad’s path toward reclaiming full control over its national security and sovereignty.
This growing tension comes at a time when several African nations are increasingly critical of foreign military presence on the continent. From Mali to Burkina Faso, and now Chad and Senegal, there has been a concerted push for greater autonomy, with many African governments emphasizing the need to reduce dependency on foreign military forces.
Macron’s statements appear to be part of a broader French strategy to assert its continued influence in Africa, even as it withdraws military forces from certain countries. The French president has repeatedly defended the role of his country’s military in combating extremism in the Sahel region, where French forces have been deployed for nearly a decade. However, the shifting dynamics on the ground are becoming harder to ignore, with rising anti-French sentiment among African populations and growing calls for self-determination.
While Macron’s comments have sparked outrage in Chad and Senegal, they also reflect a deeper issue of power and influence between African nations and their former colonizers. As African countries assert their independence, France’s ability to maintain its historical military presence in the region is being increasingly challenged. The question now remains whether France can continue to justify its military footprint in Africa or if African leaders will continue to push back against what they perceive as neo-colonialism.
In light of these developments, it is clear that the relationship between France and its former African colonies is entering a new chapter, one marked by rising tensions and shifting allegiances. As the deadline for French troops’ departure from Chad looms, the implications of these decisions will likely reverberate across the continent, reshaping Africa’s security landscape for years to come.
