Chad and Senegal on Tuesday hit back at comments made by President Macron claiming that African countries in the Sahel had "forgotten to say thank you" to France for helping to combat jihadist insurgencies.

In a speech to France's diplomatic corps on Monday, Macron accused African leaders of 'forgetting' to 'thank' France for preventing their nations from falling under the control of jihadist insurgencies.

In response, Chad's Foreign Minister Abderaman Koulamallah said Macron comments had revealed his contempt for Africa. "Chad expresses its deep concern following the remarks made recently by [the French president], which reflect a contemptuous attitude towards Africa and Africans," he said in a statement on national TV.