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
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children

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

Macron says Europe not feared enough in trade deal with US

UK, France, Germany say Gaza 'humanitarian catastrophe must end now'

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

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

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