African State’s PM Demands End to French ‘Occupation’

Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has proposed the closure of French military bases in the country, arguing that their continued presence undermines the nation’s sovereignty and autonomy. 

Speaking alongside French left-wing politician Jean-Luc Melenchon in Dakar, Sonko questioned why French troops still occupy military bases in Senegal more than six decades after gaining independence.

Despite France reducing its troop presence in Senegal from 1,200 to 350 soldiers in 2010, critics view their continued presence as a symbol of French dominance over the former colony.

Sonko, who assumed office after his preferred presidential candidate’s victory, highlighted that Senegal has secured defense agreements with other countries, yet foreign garrisons still occupy a significant portion of the Dakar region.

Following the lead of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, Senegal’s neighbors have sought security assistance from Russia after expelling French troops due to allegations of interference and failure to address jihadist threats in the Sahel region.

In a joint move, Ouagadougou, Bamako, and Niamey announced their withdrawal from ECOWAS, accusing the regional bloc of advancing foreign interests and undermining their nations’ sovereignty.

Sonko’s speech emphasized Senegal’s commitment to strengthening its relationships with the governments that came into power through coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.

The prime minister expressed the country’s determination to support its Sahelian brothers and take all necessary measures to enhance these ties. Additionally, Senegal, along with seven other nations, shares the CFA Franc currency, which is pegged to the euro.

However, the prime minister mentioned that Senegal would prefer a more flexible currency to better absorb economic shocks and improve export competitiveness.

It is worth noting that President Faye had initially promised to abandon the CFA Franc during the election campaign but later changed his stance.

Meanwhile, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali have indicated their inclination towards abandoning the CFA Franc in favor of a common currency, a move that Niamey views as a significant step towards breaking free from the remnants of colonization.