Chadian FM: French leaders must learn to respect the African people
Chadian Foreign Minister Abderaman Koulamallah condemned French President Emmanuel Macron’s remarks, in which he accused Sahel countries of failing to thank France for its assistance in combating terrorism.
In a statement issued on Monday, Koulamallah expressed his “concern” over Macron’s comments, which he said reflected a “contemptuous attitude toward Africa.”
“I have no problem with France, but French leaders must learn to respect the African people,” he said, emphasising that the Chadian people are striving for full sovereignty, true independence, and the establishment of a strong, independent state.
FM Koulamallah also highlighted Africa’s “crucial role” in France’s liberation during the two World Wars, a contribution that “France has never acknowledged.”
“For over 60 years of French presence, France’s contribution has often been limited to its own strategic interests, with no lasting impact on the development of the Chadian people,” he added.
Speaking to French ambassadors at an annual conference on foreign policy for 2025, Macron stated that France was “justified” in its military intervention in the Sahel against terrorism since 2013, and that African leaders had forgotten to thank France for this support.
“None of them would have a sovereign state if the French army had not deployed in this region,” Macron said, and ironically added, “I think that they forgot to thank us, but that’s ok, it will come in time.”
At the end of November, Chad cancelled the military agreements that had linked it to its former colonial power.
