Senegal and Chad have reacted strongly to comments by French President Emmanuel Macron that African countries were ungrateful for France’s role in helping fight a militant jihadist insurgency.

Macron said on Monday that Sahel countries had “forgot” to thank France for its role as the country continues to withdraw its troops from the West African country.

He said that without French intervention to prevent the Sahel countries from falling under the control of militants, the Sahel countries would not become sovereign states.

Chadian Foreign Minister Abdelrahmane Kouramala responded that Macron’s remarks revealed his disdain for Africa.

“Chad is deeply concerned by recent statements made by (the French president) which embody a contemptuous attitude towards Africa and Africans,” he said in a statement on state television.

“French leaders must learn to respect African people and recognize the value of their sacrifices,” he said.

Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko said France had “destabilized certain African countries such as Libya” in the past, which had had “catastrophic consequences” for the region’s security.

“France has neither the capacity nor the legitimacy to ensure security and sovereignty in Africa,” he said in a statement.

Macron made comments at an annual meeting of ambassadors in Paris that France was reorganizing its strategic interests in the region and dismissed suggestions that France was being forced to withdraw its troops from Africa.

In 2013, French troops were sent to Mali to deal with an Islamist insurgency. A year later, the mission expanded to include other countries in the region, including Niger and Burkina Faso.

“We (deployed) were right. I think someone forgot to say thank you. It doesn’t matter, it will come over time,” Macron said on Monday.

“But I say this for the sake of all African heads of state who do not have the courage to face public opinion and hold this view. If French troops had not been deployed in the region, none of them would be a sovereign state today.”

Sonko said Macron’s comments were “completely wrong” regarding Senegal’s decision to ask French troops to leave.

He said there were no talks with France over a move to close its military bases in the country.

He said the decision stemmed from Senegal’s “sole will as a free, independent and sovereign nation.”

Both Sankoh and Kulamala also mentioned the role played by African soldiers in the liberation of France during the world wars.

“Had African soldiers, sometimes forcibly mobilized, mistreated and ultimately betrayed, not been deployed to defend France during World War II, the Germans might still be here today,” Sonko said.

Chad, Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire have recently terminated security agreements with France, while Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have asked French troops to leave following the coup.

France’s influence in the region has been waning in recent years amid accusations of neocolonialism and exploitative ties to its former colonies.

Military-led governments moved closer to Russia after France withdrew its troops from Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.

On Monday, Chad’s foreign minister said France’s contribution in the country was limited to “its own strategic interests” even as Chad grappled with instability and other problems during the 60-year partnership.

Chad ended its defense agreement with France in November, saying “it is time for Chad to assert its full sovereignty and redefine its strategic partnership in line with national priorities”.