Senegal and France have reached an agreement to establish a joint commission that will oversee the withdrawal of French troops and the handover of French military bases in Senegal by the end of 2025.
This move marks a significant shift in the relationship between the two nations, as Senegal seeks to assert its sovereignty and reduce French influence.
Senegal’s President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, has been vocal about his concerns regarding the presence of French troops, emphasizing that sovereignty does not allow for foreign military bases.
However, Faye has also expressed Senegal’s willingness to collaborate with France, as long as it does not involve military involvement.
Faye pointed to Senegal’s strong commercial relationship with China, highlighting that despite being the country’s largest trading partner, China does not demand a military presence. This, he suggested, is a model for Senegal’s future relationships with foreign nations.
The agreement between Senegal and France is part of a broader trend of African nations seeking to reduce French influence on the continent.
For decades, French military bases in Africa have been a key aspect of France’s geopolitical presence, but growing anti-colonial sentiment and frustration with France’s role in regional affairs have led several nations to expel French troops and seek alternative partnerships.
