Senegalese President Calls for End to French Military Presence
Senegalese President Bassiro Diomaye Faye has voiced strong opposition to the presence of French military bases in Senegal, asserting that such a presence undermines the country's sovereignty. In a recent interview with Agence France-Presse, Faye emphasized that Senegal, which gained independence from France 64 years ago, must establish a partnership with France that does not involve military bases. He stated, "Senegal is an independent state. It is a sovereign state, and sovereignty is incompatible with the presence of (foreign) military bases in a sovereign state."
Faye, who took office in April, has made it clear that rejecting the French military presence does not equate to a severance of ties between Senegal and France. He highlighted that Senegal maintains strong relationships with various countries, including China, Turkey, the United States, and Saudi Arabia, none of which have military bases in Senegal. He pointed out that China is Senegal's top trading partner, reinforcing his stance that military presence is not a prerequisite for fruitful international partnerships.
Recognition of Historical Wrongs
In addition to addressing military presence, President Faye revealed that he received a letter from French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledging France's responsibility for a historical massacre committed by colonial forces in Thiarori, near Dakar, on December 1, 1944. Faye described Macron's acknowledgment as a significant step forward, noting that the French president expressed regret for his inability to attend a commemoration ceremony for the victims of the massacre due to scheduling conflicts. The letter detailed that the events leading to the massacre were triggered by a confrontation between soldiers and local riflemen demanding their rightful salaries.
Faye has not ruled out the possibility of seeking compensation from France for the victims' families, indicating a desire for reparative justice as part of the ongoing dialogue between the two nations.
