DAKAR – Senegalese and Chadian leaders stated that the ousting of French troops from their territories was their sovereign choice, rejecting remarks from French President Emmanuel Macron that recommended in any other case.
Senegal, Chad and Ivory Coast last month introduced the departure of French troops simply as Paris was devising a brand new technique that may sharply cut back its everlasting troop presence in Africa.
Macron stated Monday at an annual assembly of overseas ambassadors that France had “proposed to the African heads of state to reorganize our presence.” He added, “As we’re very well mannered, we’ve given them the precedence of the announcement.”
Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko wrote on X late Monday, “I wish to say that, within the case of Senegal, this assertion is completely misguided.”
“No dialogue or negotiation has taken place to this point and the choice taken by Senegal stems from its sole will, as a free, impartial and sovereign nation,” Sonko added. “France has neither the capability nor the legitimacy to make sure Africa’s safety and sovereignty.”
French troops have already left Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, that are dominated by navy juntas.
In 2023, Macron promised a “new safety partnership” with diminished numbers of French troops on the continent in a course of he stated could be primarily based on wants expressed by African companions.
Earlier on Monday, Chadian Foreign Minister Abderaman Koulamallah expressed “deep concern” following Macron’s remarks.
Macron’s phrases “mirror a contemptuous angle in direction of Africa and Africans,” he stated in an announcement revealed on social media. “French leaders must be taught to respect the African folks and to acknowledge the worth of their sacrifices.”
He added that the 60 years of French presence in Chad “has typically been restricted to its personal strategic pursuits, with none actual lasting impression on the event of the Chadian folks.”
For the reason that independence of French colonies in Africa, Paris has maintained a coverage of financial, political and navy sway which on the time had been dubbed Françafrique, together with having 1000’s of everlasting troops within the area.
France presently has 600 troops in Ivory Coast, 350 in Senegal and 350 in Gabon, in addition to round 1,500 in Djibouti. It has had 1,000 troops in Chad.
France’s Protection Ministry stated the function of French troops in Africa is to coach native troopers and reinforce their capacities to combat extremism, primarily in peacekeeping, intelligence and logistics. However critics say preserving boots on the bottom additionally has allowed Paris to retain affect and defend political regimes favorable to France.
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Related Press author Sylvie Corbet in Paris contributed to this report.
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