The new authorities in Dakar espouse bilateral cooperation and diplomatic pragmatism, within the context of reshaping regional alliances.
As the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) faces an unprecedented fracture with the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger – now united within the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) – Senegal is adopting a diplomatic rebalancing stance.
Dakar is focusing on strengthened bilateral cooperation with the three recalcitrant countries while calling for an inclusive solution to the regional crisis.
In Bamako to strengthen security cooperation
The Senegalese Minister of the Armed Forces, General Birame Diop, was received on Monday, May 19, 2025, by Mali’s military leader General Assimi Goita. This visit is part of a renewed diplomatic relationship between Dakar and Bamako, amid a tense security situation marked by an upsurge in violence in western Mali, notably the attack on the Sandare post, located less than 300 km from the Senegalese border.
The bilateral military cooperation, already demonstrated by the launch of joint patrols in February in Diboli, involves Military Zone No. 4 and the Rapid Action Surveillance and Intervention Group (GARSI) on the Senegalese side. General Diop delivered an official message from President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, reaffirming Dakar’s commitment to working constructively with Mali, despite institutional reconfigurations.
Since the signing of a technical military agreement in 2021, the two countries have maintained close exchanges, particularly in the training of military personnel. Joint operations with Mauritania have also been conducted as part of a broader cross-border stabilisation effort.
In Ouagadougou for an inclusive approach
During a 48-hour official visit to Burkina Faso, Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko held several meetings, notably with his counterpart Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo and President Ibrahim Traore. On May 19, he advocated for an inclusive approach to the crisis between Ecowas and the African Economic and Monetary Union (Uemoa), while calling for lessons to be learned from past mistakes.
Interviewed by Radiodiffusion Television du Burkina (RTB), Mr. Sonko expressed his regret at the rift between the two blocs, while emphasising that “the peoples of the region will continue to be Ecowas peoples, no matter what,” highlighting the persistent reality of economic, social, and cultural ties.
He also criticised certain Ecowas decisions in managing political transitions, notably the sanctions against Mali and the threat of military intervention in Niger.
“A country like Senegal should never have accepted the embargo against Mali. If we were in power, this would not have happened,” he said.
Despite these differences, Mr. Sonko sought to reassure people about bilateral relations, highlighting the existence of 20 ratified agreements and 23 others under discussion with Burkina Faso, regardless of changes in institutional affiliations.
He also attended the inauguration of the Thomas Sankara Mausoleum, in the presence of several Senegalese ministers, and praised the late Burkinabe leader’s pan-Africanist commitment.
In Niamey to normalise relations
Senegalese diplomacy was also evident in Niger, with the visit of General Birame Diop, accompanied by Amadou Hott, Senegal’s candidate for the presidency of the African Development Bank.
Received by junta head Abdourahmane Tiani, the minister emphasised the importance of relaunching cooperation in the areas of defense, security, trade, and connectivity.
The two parties discussed the possibility of establishing a direct air link via Air Senegal to facilitate trade and strengthen the sharing of security information. General Diop also stressed the need for joint action on migration issues and within organisations such as Uemoa, the African Union, and ASECNA.
A committed diplomatic repositioning
All of these initiatives are part of a broader diplomatic offensive by Senegal, aimed at maintaining its position as a central player in a region undergoing transformation. While recognising the disruptive dynamics initiated by the AES countries, Dakar affirms its desire to preserve political, security, and economic bridges.
This pragmatic approach, built around concrete cooperation, allows Senegal to position itself as a credible intermediary, capable of engaging with all parties and promoting a negotiated resolution to the crisis at the West African level.
Faced with a weakened Ecowas and an AES under construction, Senegal has chosen to maintain a balanced stance: critical of past mistakes, supportive of inclusive reintegration, but resolutely committed to bilateral proximity diplomacy.
This strategy could make the country a regional pivot in redefining cooperation and security frameworks in the Sahel and West Africa.
AC/fss/as/APA