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's correspondent: The death toll in the al-Bureij camp massacre has risen to 19
Nicolas Maduro: Maria Corina Machado and imperialism wanted to spread violence and chaos so there would be no elections.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro: We were able to neutralize 60 attacks on oil refineries and oil facilities and arrest more than 70 individuals involved.
CNN citing sources: Talks between Washington and Tehran are close to reaching a comprehensive agreement that could be concluded during the next meeting.
US Secretary of State: Washington will begin revoking visas for Chinese students affiliated with the Communist Party or studying in sensitive fields.
Israeli media: Western diplomats: There is a possibility that the US administration will sign an interim agreement or understanding with Iran.
Hamas: We affirm that we are making great efforts to stop the barbaric war on the Gaza Strip.
Hamas: We reached an agreement with Witkoff that includes the flow of aid and a professional committee taking over the management of the Gaza Strip's affairs immediately after the deal is announced.
Hamas: The agreement with Witkoff includes the release of 10 Israeli prisoners and bodies in exchange for the release of a number of Palestinian prisoners.
Hamas: We agreed with Witkoff on a general framework that would achieve a permanent ceasefire and a complete withdrawal of the occupation from Gaza.

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 deepens defense, trade ties in Indonesia

Gaza humanitarian crisis 'intolerable', Macron says

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

US judges quietly consider private security amid Trump tensions

US judges quietly consider private security amid Trump pressures

  • US & Canada
  • 25 May 2025
Rep. Randy Fine, R-Palm Bay, answers a question about his House Bill 3-C: Independent Special Districts in the House of Representatives April 20, 2022, at the Capitol in Tallahassee, Florida (AP/Phil Sears)

GOP lawmaker says Gaza needs same end as WWII Japan, with nukes

  • MENA
  • 23 May 2025
President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrive to a news conference in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, in Washington (AP)

Rift widens: Trump, Netanyahu clash in heated phone call over Iran

  • Politics
  • 26 May 2025
Iran advisor reveals details of US-Iran nuclear talks to Al Mayadeen

Iran advisor reveals details of US-Iran nuclear talks: Al Mayadeen

  • MENA
  • 24 May 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Israeli forces operate in a buffer zone in southern Lebanon as seen from northern occupied Palestine, Tuesday, February 18, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Israeli troops breach Lebanese territory, enter country's south

Chief of Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard Gen. Hossein Salami speaks in a ceremony commemorating late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the country's foreign minister and several other officials, in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, May 15, 2025 (AP)
Politics

IRGC commander warns Iran would 'open gates of hell' on 'Israel'

(Iran Foreign Ministry)
Politics

Iran denies reported enrichment freeze, reaffirms nuclear policy

President Donald Trump, right, listens as White House special envoy Steve Witkoff, left, speaks during a swearing in ceremony for interim U.S. Attorney General for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro, Wednesday, May 28, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Trump warns Netanyahu on Iran talks, pushes Gaza ceasefire plan

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