Franco-Senegalese Relations at a Crossroads: The Impact of Diomaye Faye and Emmanuel Macron’s Meeting

Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has arrived in France for his inaugural visit since being elected in March this year. His visit is in response to an invitation to attend the Global Forum for Vaccine Sovereignty and Innovation. President Faye is scheduled to have a lunch meeting with Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace on Thursday. The discussions will cover various topics including trade agreements between the two countries, the CFA franc, and the French military presence in Senegal.

In May, Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko expressed concerns about the presence of foreign military bases on Senegalese soil, stating that it was incompatible with the country’s desire to determine its own path.

Before departing for Paris, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye embarked on a series of visits to neighboring countries such as Mauritania, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Sierra Leone.

The meeting between Emmanuel Macron and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye holds the potential to alleviate tensions related to the political crisis in Senegal that preceded the new president’s assumption of power. The period between 2021 and 2024 witnessed a legal battle between Ousmane Sonko, the leader of the Pastef party, and the former Senegalese government, resulting in multiple instances of unrest, numerous fatalities, and hundreds of arrests.

Senegal and France have a long-standing history of strong political and economic ties. However, President Faye, a left-wing pan-Africanist, emphasizes the importance of ensuring that such partnerships are mutually beneficial.