French President Emmanuel Macron has sparked controversy by labeling African leaders as “ungrateful” for not acknowledging France’s role in maintaining security and stability in the region.
Macron made the comments while speaking on the development in the region, stating that France’s military intervention in the Sahel region since 2013 has been crucial in fighting terrorism.
“We had a relationship based on security, it was in fact two-fold. On one hand, it was our engagement against terrorism since 2013. We were right, I think someone forgot to say thank you,” Macron said.
“Ungratefulness, I know too well is a disease that cannot be transmitted to men but I say this for all African heads of states who have not had courage in the face of public opinion,” he added.
Macron also claimed that none of the African countries would have achieved sovereignty without French support. “None of them would be a sovereign country today if the French army wasn’t deployed in the region and my heart goes out to all of our soldiers, some of them whom have given their lives and fought for years,” he said.
The comments come amidst growing tensions between France and several African countries, including Niger, Chad, Senegal, and Mali, which have asked French troops to leave their territories.
