Senegal shuts down all military bases of France
*As West African nation marks 80th anniversary of massacre
Although Senegal seeks to assert its sovereignty, Faye emphasised that this decision does not severe ties with France, unlike the actions of other West African nations.
Senegalese authorities have directed the closure of all French military bases in the country as the 80th anniversary of the Thiaroye massacre approaches.
President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, in an interview with AFP, reiterated that French military presence in Senegal is incompatible with the country’s sovereignty.
Faye, who won the March elections with a vow to assert Senegal’s independence, commented on France’s acknowledgment of its role in the 1944 massacre, in which Senegalese soldiers were killed by French forces.
“Senegal is an independent country, it is a sovereign country and sovereignty does not accept the presence of military bases in a sovereign country,” he said from the presidential palace.
Although Senegal seeks to assert its sovereignty, Faye emphasised that this decision does not sever ties with France, unlike the actions of other West African nations.
“Today, China is our largest trading partner in terms of investment and trade. Does China have a military presence in Senegal? No. Does that mean our relations are cut? No,” he remarked.
Faye’s comments come in the context of a broader shift in West Africa, where countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have expelled French forces in favour of Russian military support.
French government sources recently revealed plans to reduce its African military presence, including cutting troops in Senegal from 350 to 100.
While France remains a key partner in trade and investment, Faye acknowledged that France’s apology for the Thiaroye massacre marked an important step forward.
He received a letter from French President Macron admitting responsibility for the 1944 massacre, where at least 35 Senegalese soldiers were killed after protesting delayed pay.
“I received today a letter from President Emmanuel Macron in which he acknowledges that it was a massacre, very clearly, unambiguously on the terms,” Faye said.
Faye called Macron’s acknowledgment a “great step” but also expressed his intention to seek further reparations.
“To recognise that a massacre has been committed must obviously have the effect of making amends, we think that naturally this is what must follow,” he added.
