President Faye Reaffirms Commitment To Dialogue Amid ECOWAS Rift.
Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has reiterated his efforts to mend relations between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the breakaway Sahel nations of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Despite his attempts at mediation, he acknowledged that the three countries remain resolute in their decision to leave the regional bloc.
Speaking during a wide-ranging four-hour interview with local media on Friday, President Faye revealed, “I pleaded for people to come together around a table and talk, to preserve the chances of maintaining a strong subregional organisation.” He emphasised that all diplomatic channels had been explored in the hope of reintegrating the countries into ECOWAS.
Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger formally exited ECOWAS earlier this year, accusing the body of bowing to French interests and failing to curb jihadist violence across the region. The trio has since aligned under the newly established Alliance of Sahel States (AES), signalling a shift in foreign policy orientation away from France and towards Russia.
President Faye, appointed last July by ECOWAS as a mediator to the junta-led nations, expressed disappointment but also respect for their decision. “The fact remains that these countries, like others, are sovereign. They are free to make their own choices. All we owe them is to respect their will, knowing that we have done everything possible to reintegrate them,” he stated.
Turning to Senegal’s own relationship with France, Faye affirmed that the former colonial power continues to play a significant role. “France remains an important partner for Senegal on all levels,” he said.
However, he confirmed that Senegal is currently negotiating the withdrawal of French troops from its soil by the end of the year. “It happens that at a certain point in its history, a country decides to redirect its trajectory. And that’s what happened with the French military presence in the country,” he explained.
Last month, several French military facilities in Dakar were officially handed over to Senegalese authorities, marking the initial phase of the troop withdrawal.
President Faye’s remarks highlight both the complexities of regional diplomacy and Senegal’s evolving stance on foreign partnerships, as West Africa continues to grapple with shifting alliances and security challenges.
