Senegal’s Prime Minister predicted on Thursday (May 16) that a reset in Africa’s relations with Europe is inevitable.
Ousmane Sonko highlighted a pivotal context that demands a shift from historical patterns. The leader of the PASTEF political party spoke at a conference on the future of Africa-Europe relations, attended by left-wing politician and former French presidential candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon.
Addressing the audience at Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar, Sonko expressed concerns over France’s military presence in Senegal and across Africa, questioning its impact on the sovereignty and strategic autonomy of the affected nations. He cited France’s 1966 decision to close all NATO bases on its soil as a precedent for prioritizing national sovereignty.
According to the French Ministry for Armed Forces, nearly 400 soldiers stationed at two camps in Dakar are involved in regional military training. Sonko clarified that his views do not challenge existing defense agreements with other countries.
In 2010, Senegal regained control of several military bases from its former colonial ruler, France, under a new agreement.
