African governments have criticized a speech by French President Emmanuel Macron in which he said that some leaders showed “ingratitude” for the deployment of his nation’s troops in the Sahel region in battling Islamist extremism.

Emmanuel Macron had said African leaders had not thanked France for ‘helping to combat’ insurgencies - Anadolu Ajansı

The Senegalese prime minister and the Chadian foreign minister have condemned claims made by Emmanuel Macron regarding negotiations about the withdrawal of French troops from several African countries,

Burkina Faso's military leader Captain Ibrahim Traore joined criticism of Macron's suggestion that some West African leaders had shown "ingratitude" France's role in helping to tackle militant jihadist insurgencies.

Chad’s Foreign Minister, Abderaman Koulamallah, condemned Macron’s remarks as “disrespectful” to Africans and highlighted Chad’s sacrifices during both World Wars.

Vantage with Palki Sharma French President Emmanuel Macron has picked a fight with the numerous African nations who have expelled France's soldiers. Macron says the African countries "forgot to thank France" for sending troops to help fight terrorism in the Sahel.

French President Emmanuel Macron, on January 6, addressed the annual conference of ambassadors, outlining his foreign policy priorities for 2025.

French soldiers were deployed for a decade to fight an Islamist insurgency in its former colonial territory of the Sahel region. Read more at straitstimes.com.

French President Emmanuel macron faced backlash from several African nations after suggesting they should be grateful for France’s military presence in the Sahel region. During a speech at an annual ambassadors’ conference,

President Macron accused some African countries of “forgetting to tell us thank you” for the role of the French military in fighting jihadists.

Senegalese and Chadian leaders say the ousting of French troops from their territories was their sovereign decision, rejecting remarks from French President Emmanuel Macron that suggested otherwise.

In response, Chad's Foreign Minister Abderaman Koulamallah said Macron comments had revealed his contempt for Africa. "Chad expresses its deep concern following the remarks made recently by [the French president], which reflect a contemptuous attitude towards Africa and Africans," he said in a statement on national TV.