Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen correspondent to southern Lebanon: Israeli warplanes launched a raid on the Ksar Zaatar neighborhood in western Nabatieh.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The tower destroyed by the Israeli occupation in Gaza includes media offices, including Al Mayadeen's bureau.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: Four fetuses and three premature babies died at Nasser Medical Complex due to malnutrition
Lebanese Ministry of Health: One person was killed in an Israeli airstrike on a car in the town of Burj Qalawieh, south Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: The first ship of the Maghreb fleet delivering aid to break the siege on Gaza departs from the port of Gammarth in Tunisia.
Channel 12: Airspace closed at Ramon Airport due to fears of drone infiltration
IOF Spokesperson: Sirens sounded over an aircraft infiltration in the Bir Ora area, and details are being examined
Drone infiltration sirens sound north of the Gulf of Aqaba
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out five extremely violent raids on the western areas of Gaza City
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out major bombings in the Gaza Strip, the most violent since October 7

Senegal's PM questions French military presence, monetary control

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 17 May 2024 16:21
  • 1 Shares
2 Min Read

Sonko lambasts Macron for policies and says Senegal should work to secure security and financial sovereignty.

  • x
  • Senegal's PM questions French military presence, monetary control
    Then presidential candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye, left, and then opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, attend a final campaign rally ahead of the presidential elections in Mbour, Senegal, on March 22, 2024. (AP) 

Recently appointed Senegalese Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, has put into question the French military presence in the country, during a talk he held for university students on Thursday. 

Sonko said that "cooperation must take into account Senegal's sovereignty in both monetary and security fields."

"We must ask ourselves the reasons why the French army still has many military bases in our country and their impact on our sovereignty and our strategic autonomy," he said.

The premier reiterated "Senegal's wish to determine its course which is incompatible with the entrenched presence of foreign military bases."

France currently has 350 troops deployed in Senegal, but also has overarching control over the country's finances, as Paris has pegged the CFA franc shared by seven of its former colonies to the euro. 

In this context, Sonko underlined the need to award Senegal a flexible currency pegged to at least two currencies to help absorb shocks and support export competitiveness. 

Related News

France erupts as 200,000 join 'Block Everything' protests

Mass arrests as 'Block Everything' movement shuts down France

Read more: Pro-Pan-Africanism opposition candidate wins Senegalese election

We will not let go of our Sahel brothers

Moreover, the Senegalese leader had friendly words for the West African countries that witnessed coups against their Western-allied governments. Sonko's comments in this regard show a major shift in Senegalese foreign relations, as the country had previously been adamant in adopting the ECOWAS position against military coups in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.

"We will not let go of our brothers in the Sahel and we will do everything necessary to strengthen the ties," he underscored.

Sonko was appointed Prime Minister after Bassirou Diomaye Faye, of PASTEF, won the 2024 presidential election after receiving 54% of the vote.

Both Sonko and Faye were imprisoned by then-President Macky Sall, who cracked down on opposition leaders, and were released just ahead of the 2024 election. 

Consequently, Sonko in his latest address lambasted French President Emmanuel Macron for failing to denounce Sall's crackdown on opposition protests. Sonko said Macron had received and "congratulated" Sall at "the worst phase of the repression."

"This is an incitement to repression, an incitement to persecution," he added.

Read more: Senegal's President calls for 'rethought' EU partnership

  • Emmanuel Macron
  • Bassirou Diomaye Faye
  • France
  • Senegal
  • Ousmane Sonko

Most Read

The damaged building in the Katara neighborhood, Doha, Qatar, September 9, 2025 (Social media)

Hamas delegation survives Israeli assassination attempt in Qatar

  • Politics
  • 9 Sep 2025
Pro-"Israel" conservative Charlie Kirk shot during Utah speech

American far-right activist Charlie Kirk shot dead during Utah speech

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza.

Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza

  • Politics
  • 12 Sep 2025
A screengrab from the ad played on Fox News. (X Screengrab)

Fox airs ad warning Trump not to let Netanyahu 'play' him on Gaza

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
President Nicolas Maduro gestures to supporters during the inauguration of a monument in China's honor on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, September 3, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Maduro warns of threats, urges 'battle for truth' to defend Venezuela

Damage is seen after an Israeli strike targeted a compound that hosted Hamas' political leadership in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)
Politics

Netanyahu informed Trump before deadly attack in Doha: Reports

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio hold a joint press conference at the Prime Minister's Office, during Rubio's visit, in occupied al-Quds, occupied Palestine, Monday, September 15, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Netanyahu warns of Israeli isolation, calls to boost self-reliance

Spain axes €700Mln arms deals with 'Israel' over Gaza genocide
Politics

Spain axes €700Mln arms deals with 'Israel' over Gaza genocide

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS