French President Emmanuel Macron has claimed that the African governments in the Sahel area have failed to appreciate France's assistance in defeating Islamist extremists on their lands. 

Addressing French ambassadors at the 2025 foreign policy conference, Macron underlined that France took the correct decision of intervening in 2013 to battle Islamist extremists, even though those nations have now isolated themselves from French military aid. Macron's remarks, delivered at a public opinion, elicited varied reactions in Africa and the outside world.

“I think that they forgot to thank us, but that’s ok, it will come in time,” Macron told Reuters.

France has been an essential partner in the war against Islamist organisations in the Sahel for almost a decade. Operation Barkhane, which began in 2014, involves French troops working alongside local forces to combat extremist operations in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad. However, increasing anti-French sentiment and political instability in the area have strained France's relations with its former colonies.

After a series of military coups, French forces have recently left Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, and they are already evacuating from Chad, Senegal and Ivory Coast.

"None of them would have a sovereign state if the French army had not deployed in this region," Mr. Macron said.

Macron denied that Paris was thrown out of the area, saying it had opted to restructure its policy.

"No, France is not on the back foot in Africa, it is just lucid and reorganising itself," stated the leader. 

Some interpret Macron's words as a response to these events as France reevaluates its position in Africa. While French forces have departed from various Sahel countries, the more significant task of combating terrorism and maintaining regional peace remains unresolved.