Opinion
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France's Gift to Chadian War Veterans is 'Mockery,' Pan-Africanist Says

On Saturday, France celebrated the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of Strasbourg, and President Macron led a number of commemorating ceremonies during the day, media reports said.
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The 300,000 CFA francs (around $480) worth of rice, sugar and dates donated by the French Embassy to Chadian war veterans is a "paltry sum" that does not even correspond to the Revenu de solidarité active (a French social welfare benefit that guarantees a minimum income to people with few resources) in France, coordinator of the Chadian movement Les Patriotes Mamadou Doudet told Sputnik Africa.
"When you give 300,000 CFA francs, you have to advertise it as if you gave something very important? It hurts. It hurts us, their grandchildren," he explained.
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The activist lamented the difference in the treatment of French and African veterans, noting that the French president did not mention Chadian soldiers during the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Strasbourg.

"We say they died for France, but Macron did not even mention a word about the Chadian soldiers during his speech. Isn't that contempt? It's a neglect; it's ingratitude," he said indignantly.