Senegal's Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has raised discussions about the possibility of closing French military bases in the West African country.
- Senegal's Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has raised discussions about the possibility of closing French military bases in the West African country.
- Sonko raised concerns about the impact of French military presence on Senegal's sovereignty and strategic autonomy
- Sonko also mentioned that Senegal would prefer a flexible currency pegged to at least two currencies to better absorb economic shocks and enhance export competitiveness.
In his comprehensive address, he also touched upon topics such as the euro-backed CFA franc currency, oil and gas agreements, and LGBTQ rights on Thursday, Reuters reported.
Sonko gained power when his chosen presidential candidate, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, won a decisive victory in March. The firebrand politician had accused the former president, Macky Sall of working with France to block his candidacy. He is known for his criticism of France's perceived overreach in its former colony.
France has about 350 troops in Senegal.
What Sonko said:
"More than 60 years after our independence ... we must question the reasons why the French army for example still benefits from several military bases in our country and the impact of this presence on our national sovereignty and our strategic autonomy," Sonko said at a joint conference with the French left-wing politician Jean-Luc Melenchon in the capital Dakar.
"I reiterate here the desire of Senegal to have its own control, which is incompatible with the lasting presence of foreign military bases in Senegal ... Many countries have promised defence agreements, but this does not justify the fact that a third of the Dakar region is now occupied by foreign garrisons."
Neighbouring countries Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have expelled French troops and sought assistance from Russia to combat jihadist insurgencies within their territories.
They have also distanced themselves from the West African bloc ECOWAS, which condemned their coups and have formed their alliance of Sahel states.
Sonko now shares a similar sentiment with them. "We will not let go of our brothers in the Sahel and we will do everything necessary to strengthen the ties," he said.
He also mentioned that Senegal, which shares the euro-pegged CFA franc currency with seven other countries, would prefer a flexible currency pegged to at least two currencies to better absorb economic shocks and enhance export competitiveness.
