French President Faces Criticism for Demanding Appreciation from African Countries

Criticizing Macron's statements, Sonko said that France has, "neither the capacity nor the legitimacy to ensure Africa's security and sovereignty." He also stated that the French government has played active roles in destabilizing some African countries, citing Libya as an example which had "disastrous consequences" for regional security.

In the same vein, Koulamallah expressed "deep concerns" over remarks that "reflect a contemptuous attitude towards Africa and Africans." "French leaders must learn to respect the African people and recognize the value of their sacrifices," Koulamallah said.

Both Chad and Senegal are among the former French colonies that have reviewed their relationship with France. In mid-December, Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye announced that Franceshould shut down its military bases, a decision Sonko said stemmed from Senegal's "sole will as a free, independent and sovereign country."

Meanwhile, Chad chose toend its defense cooperation pact with the French government last November. A slightly surprising move, considering that Macron was seen as an ally of Chad's president, Mahamat Deby, afterDeby visited France in October 2023. Chad's government has now stated its desire for the withdrawal of French troops from its bordersby the end of this month, following Macron's statement.

France has now been kicked out of over 70 percent of the African countries it had a security presence in since ending colonial rule. Last week, Cote D'Ivoire became the latest African country toorder the exit of French troops. Although Macron dismissed the idea that France was being kicked out of Africa en masse, claiming that it was reorganizing its strategy, there has been an undeniable wave of anti-French sentiments from its former African colonies in recent years.

Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, which pulled out of ECOWAS andformed the confederation, Alliance of Sahel States (AES), are among the countries that have ordered the exit of French troops and the handover of French military bases. The governments of the three junta-led countries share a staunch anti-French stance, with the Malian governmentrecently renaming several streets, boulevards, avenues, squares, and public establishments in its capital city, Bamako, to distance itself from its French colonial history.

In late December, Niger's military leader, Brig. Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani accused Nigeria of colluding with France to destabilize his country. Tchiani said France is supporting militant groups in the Lake Chad region and that "Nigerian authorities are not unaware of this underhanded move." The accusations came after Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu went on athree-day state visit to France. Tinubu hadthreatened military intervention after a coup ushered in Tchiani's regime in 2023.

The Nigerian government has since rebuffed Tchiani's allegations, calling them "false" and "baseless." Nigeria's information minister, Mohammed Idris, said the accusations "exist solely in the realm of imagination," denying claims of trying to sabotage Niger's agricultural sector or itsoil pipeline project. "Nigeria has never engaged in any alliance, overt or covert, with France — or any other country — to destabilize the Niger Republic."

Nigeria's allyship with France, through a series of signed agreements, is in stark contrast with several of its neighboring West and Central African states. Analysts have pointed out France's history of exploitation and puppeteering ascause for concern, however, Nigeria being a top trade and security partner ensures France continues to have a significant presence in Africa.