Macron Insults African Nations: Chad & Senegal Hit Back
In a recent speech delivered to a gathering of French ambassadors at the Élysée Palace in Paris, President Emmanuel Macron ignited a firestorm of controversy by making remarks that many have deemed insulting towards African nations. During his address, Macron appeared to accuse certain African states of “ingratitude” for not acknowledging France’s role in combating terrorism in their territories. The French leader went on to claim that, had France not deployed its forces in regions of West and Central Africa, some countries “would not be sovereign today”.
Macron’s statements provoked swift and vocal reactions from several African governments, most notably Chad and Senegal. Both nations have publicly condemned the French President’s comments as disdainful and historically out of touch. Their responses also opened the door to deeper questions surrounding France’s military footprint on the continent, as well as the broader historical interplay of colonial legacies, post-independence complexities, and global power dynamics.
This article examines the background of Macron’s controversial remarks, discusses the immediate responses from Chad and Senegal, and explores the implications for France’s relationships across Africa.
The Controversial Remarks
On the surface, the speech was intended to outline France’s foreign policy priorities and reaffirm its role in global security. However, its central thrust went awry when Macron suggested that African governments should thank France for intervening against terrorist groups in the Sahel region and beyond. He used the phrase “some have forgotten to say thank you” and referred to “ingratitude” as a “disease that cannot be transmitted”.
In addition, Macron took a particularly provocative tone by declaring that, if not for the French military’s intervention since 2013, certain African governments would not have maintained their sovereignty. He did not specify which countries he was referencing. Nevertheless, the implication that these nations owed their very independence to France—especially given the context of France’s own colonial past—sparked anger across Africa.
These comments came against the backdrop of several ongoing challenges to French influence in the region:
● Military Coups: Over the last two years, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—all former French colonies—have experienced military takeovers. The new authorities in these countries have either outright expelled or severely curtailed French military presence, signalling a shift away from traditional alliances.
● Rising Anti-French Sentiment: Growing numbers of citizens in West and Central Africa blame France for the region’s persistent insecurity, citing terrorist insurgencies that continue despite significant French deployments.
● Strategic Rethinking: Countries like Mali and Burkina Faso have pivoted towards new security partners, including Russia, under the assumption that alternative foreign cooperation might achieve better results.
Amid these changes, Macron’s speech served to further inflame tensions rather than mend relations.
Historical Context: France in Africa
France’s military presence in Africa dates back to its colonial history. After the decolonisation wave of the 1960s, many newly independent nations still relied heavily on French support for defence and economic development. Over time, France established or maintained military bases in places like Chad, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, and other countries across West and Central Africa.
Operation Serval (launched in 2013) and later Operation Barkhane(2014–2022) were large-scale French military interventions aimed at countering Islamist insurgents in Mali and the broader Sahel region. Paris also often claimed that these missions served both African and European security interests by preventing the expansion of terrorist networks such as Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), Boko Haram, and the so-called Islamic State affiliates.
However, critics argue that these military deployments have produced limited improvements in long-term stability. In fact, according to figures from the Africa Centre for Strategic Studies (2022), extremist attacks in the Sahel have grown nearly sixfold since 2017, despite sustained French operations. In countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, the perceived lack of progress against terrorism has fuelled frustration not only with local authorities but also with France, seen as a lingering colonial power.
Immediate Reactions from Chad and Senegal
Macron’s statement that African nations “would not be sovereign” without French military intervention triggered a fervent backlash. Among the loudest critics were Chad and Senegal, whose governments interpreted Macron’s words as historically insensitive and dismissive of African sacrifices.
Chad’s Foreign Ministry Responds
Chad’s Foreign Ministry released a strongly worded statement describing Macron’s attitude as “contemptuous” towards both Africa and Africans. While acknowledging that France’s military presence in Chad has at times contributed to regional security, officials in N’Djamena emphasised that it was often more about “French strategic interests” than long-term stability for the Chadian people.
Chadian officials also pointed out the historical contributions of African soldiers in both World Wars. During World War I and World War II, many African conscripts served under the French flag, defending French territory and interests, sometimes under harsh conditions. The ministry’s statement reminded Macron that African nations paid a heavy price of their own in global conflicts, contrary to the notion that sovereignty was a gift bestowed solely by external powers.
In Senegal, politician (and opposition figure) Ousmane Sonko made headlines with a social media post aimed directly at Macron. He accused France of playing a destabilising role in North Africa, especially in Libya, where the fall of Muammar Gaddafi contributed to a surge in arms and extremist elements across the Sahel. According to Sonko, the vacuum created by NATO’s 2011 intervention in Libya—and France’s role in that campaign—allowed terrorist groups to proliferate further south.
Sonko also issued a pointed historical reminder: had African soldiers not rallied to defend France during World War II, the country “might still be under German occupation today”. This dig references the under-recognised role of the Tirailleurs Sénégalais (Senegalese Riflemen) and other colonial units from across Africa who fought to liberate France from Nazi Germany.
The Role of African Soldiers in France’s Past Conflicts
Macron’s remarks about African sovereignty also stirred renewed discussions about France’s own reliance on African troops in past wars. Historical records indicate that, in World War I alone, approximately 200,000 troops from French colonies in Africa served on the Western Front. During World War II, tens of thousands of African soldiers contributed to the Free French Forces, aiding the liberation of France from Nazi occupation.
According to the French Ministry of Defence’s own data, around 180,000 African soldiers were mobilised from across the continent during the Second World War. Many served with distinction but were later marginalised or denied the same veteran benefits awarded to their French counterparts. This history complicates Macron’s assertion, as it reveals a two-way street of military support that is far from the “one-sided benevolence” implied by France’s President in his ambassadorial address.
Broader Implications for France-Africa Relations
This diplomatic row adds to the list of complications for Paris. In recent years, France has faced large-scale protests in Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and other countries. Military juntas in Mali and Burkina Faso have expelled French troops and replaced them with Russian private security companies, most notably the Wagner Group. Meanwhile, popular sentiment increasingly calls for a re-evaluation of what French presence in Africa has actually achieved.
Conclusion
President Emmanuel Macron’s remarks represent a diplomatic miscalculation at a time when France’s role in Africa is already under intense scrutiny. While he may have intended to reaffirm Paris’s long-standing commitment to regional security, the tone and content of his speech have instead reignited deep-seated frustrations that many Africans harbour towards their former coloniser. Specifically, equating the maintenance of sovereignty with French military support overlooks the complex history of African self-determination and the crucial role played by African soldiers in France’s own battles.
In the aftermath of Macron’s comments, it is clear that France must recalibrate its African policy if it wishes to maintain or rebuild its influence on the continent. Such recalibration involves recognising that African states have legitimate agency in deciding their security and developmental partnerships—be it with Russia, China, or any other actor. It also means engaging in frank dialogue that respects African perspectives rather than dictating them.
Furthermore, this episode underscores the importance of acknowledging and addressing the painful legacies of colonialism. France’s future relationships in Africa hinge on a willingness to move beyond paternalistic rhetoric and towards a spirit of genuine collaboration. This shift necessitates humility and a firm commitment to shared goals, whether tackling terrorism, fostering economic growth, or supporting democratic governance.
Ultimately, Macron’s speech and the ensuing backlash serve as a reminder that historical sensitivities matter in international relations. If France is to restore trust, it will need to acknowledge the autonomy of African nations and engage them as equal partners. Only through such mutual respect can Paris hope to repair strained ties and chart a new course that genuinely benefits both France and Africa.
Aric Jabari is a Fellow, and the Editorial Director at the Sixteenth Council.
