African governments have criticized a speech by French President Emmanuel Macron in which he said that some leaders showed “ingratitude” for the deployment of his nation’s troops in the Sahel region in battling Islamist extremism.

French President Emmanuel Macron said the French army is leaving African countries because the country does not want to help the juntas that came to power with the support of Russia. He emphasized that the French state helped sovereign African countries by conducting anti-terrorist operations against jihadists.

Senegal and Chad have criticized French President Macron's remarks suggesting African countries are ungrateful for France's security role in the continent. ・Macron claimed African nations owe their sovereignty to the presence of French forces ・Senegal and Chad criticized French President Macron's remarks about Africa's gratitude for France's

A French army official confirmed to AFP on Jan. 6 that several dozen Ukrainian soldiers serving in the 155th "Anne of Kyiv" Mechanized Brigade deserted while undergoing military training in France.

Several dozen Ukrainian soldiers deserted while undergoing training in France, AFP reported, citing a French army official.

A few dozen' Ukrainian soldiers have deserted during their training in France, according to French military officials. Paris says the number of desertions is “very marginal” compared to the total number of soldiers trained.