French President Macron’s Condescending Remarks on Algeria and Africa Face Widespread Rejection

BY: Dr. Hana Saada

Algiers, Algeria | January 07th, 2024 — French President Emmanuel Macron has once again provoked outrage with his disparaging and neocolonial remarks concerning Algeria and African nations, further straining diplomatic relations. His latest statements, made during an address to French ambassadors outlining France’s 2025 foreign policy strategy, have been widely condemned as a blatant violation of diplomatic norms and a gross interference in sovereign affairs.

Speaking from the Élysée Palace, Macron took an aggressive stance, criticizing Algeria’s handling of the Boualem Sansal case, despite it being a purely internal matter governed by Algerian law. Referring to Sansal’s detention under Article 87 bis of Algeria’s Penal Code—a measure addressing threats to national integrity—Macron arrogantly demanded Sansal’s immediate release, suggesting Algeria had “dishonored itself.” Such statements not only disregard Algeria’s judicial sovereignty but also reflect a colonial-era mindset unbefitting of a modern diplomatic approach.

Algerian authorities swiftly responded with a firm denunciation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a strongly worded statement, rejected Macron’s assertions as an “unacceptable interference in Algeria’s internal affairs,” emphasizing that Sansal’s case involved national security issues, not freedom of expression, as falsely portrayed by Macron. The statement further highlighted that Algeria remains unwavering in its commitment to defending its sovereignty against external pressures, stating: “These comments dishonor only those who express them so recklessly and arrogantly.”

Beyond Algeria, Macron’s comments ignited widespread condemnation across Africa, particularly in Chad and Senegal. His insinuation that Sahel nations had “forgotten to thank” France for its military interventions against terrorism has been perceived as not just paternalistic but deeply offensive. Macron claimed, “France was right to intervene in 2013 to fight Islamic extremism, even if some nations now distance themselves from French military support.” This assertion conveniently ignores the widespread rejection of France’s military presence by Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, where consecutive military coups led to the expulsion of French forces.

Chadian Foreign Minister Abderaman Koulamallah responded forcefully, describing Macron’s remarks as “a contemptuous and patronizing attitude toward Africa and Africans,” emphasizing that Chad would not tolerate being treated as a subordinate. Similarly, Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko delivered a scathing rebuke, rejecting Macron’s portrayal of France as Africa’s security guarantor. Sonko declared, “France lacks both the capacity and the moral authority to ensure Africa’s security and sovereignty. On the contrary, it has often destabilized nations like Libya, triggering widespread chaos in the Sahel.”

Macron’s remarks, marked by arrogance and historical amnesia, fail to acknowledge the realities on the ground. France’s interventions in Africa, notably Operation Barkhane, have been widely criticized for failing to curb terrorism while simultaneously perpetuating instability. Macron’s refusal to acknowledge the expulsions of French forces from Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso as a rejection of France’s neocolonial footprint underscores a deeper crisis in France’s African diplomacy.

The fallout from Macron’s statements extends beyond diplomatic tensions, as they have further fueled anti-French sentiments across the continent. Civil society leaders and intellectuals in Africa have denounced his language as emblematic of France’s colonial hangover, demanding an end to condescending rhetoric and genuine respect for African sovereignty. Macron’s claim that “none of these countries would be sovereign without French military intervention” was particularly offensive, implying that African independence is a byproduct of French benevolence rather than the hard-fought struggle of the continent’s peoples.

The broader context of Macron’s remarks reveals a desperate attempt to mask France’s declining influence in Africa, as nations increasingly turn towards alternative partnerships rooted in mutual respect and non-interference. While France grapples with diminishing strategic relevance in its former colonies, Macron’s inflammatory language only accelerates this diplomatic isolation.

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