Senegal’s ambassador to Niger, Mouhamadou Sarr, is continuing his mission of diplomatic rapprochement with a series of institutional meetings.
On Tuesday, September 2, 2025, he was received by Dr. Mamoudou Harouna Djingarey, President of the Consultative Council for the Refoundation of Niger, in the presence of members of the Council’s bureau.
The following day, Wednesday, September 3, the Senegalese diplomat visited Niamey City Hall where he discussed strengthening decentralised cooperation with the capital’s managing director.
These steps come three weeks after the presentation of his credentials to President Abdourahamane Tiani on August 15.
Reconciliation underway since May 2025
These initiatives are a continuation of the historic rapprochement initiated in May 2025 by the visit of Senegalese Minister of the Armed Forces, General Birame Diop, to Niamey. Accompanied by former minister Amadou Hott, this mission marked the first high-level meeting since the CNSP came to power in July 2023.
This diplomatic normalisation represents a major turning point after a period of high tensions. Dakar had been among the strongest supporters of an Ecowas military intervention to restore constitutional order in Niger following the July 2023 coup.
During his visit in May, General Diop outlined the scope of the new bilateral cooperation: “Our President’s message confirms Senegal’s determination to work closely with Niger to strengthen already excellent relations. Since human endeavor is not perfect, improvements are always possible”.
Diverse areas of cooperation
The minister then identified several priority areas of collaboration. On the military front, he recalled the historical ties: “Many of our soldiers are trained here in Niger, just as many members of the Nigerien forces are trained in Senegal.”
He also emphasised strengthening intelligence sharing, believing that “possessing reliable information guarantees success in the fight against terrorism.”
On the economic front, General Diop spoke of the need to boost trade, emphasising: “We discussed the importance of strengthening the commercial sector, where fairs are regularly organised with strong Senegalese participation. We believe we can achieve more.”
Air connectivity was also a priority, with the goal of establishing a direct Air Senegal link between the two countries to “facilitate exchanges between our populations.”
The migration challenge was also addressed, with the minister asking: “Senegal is a source country, while Niger is a transit zone.” How can we combine our efforts to better address this phenomenon?
Decentralised cooperation at heart of talks
It was with this in mind that Ambassador Sarr focused his talks with the Niamey authorities on decentralised cooperation. During his visit to the city hall, he highlighted the existing partnerships between the Nigerien capital and several Senegalese cities: Dakar, Kebemer, and Louga, as well as with other African metropolises such as
Praia.
The diplomat emphasised the natural complementarities between Dakar, a coastal city, and Niamey, located in the Sahelian hinterland, seeing them as an asset for the development of bilateral trade.
His visit concluded with the signing of the municipality’s guestbook, a symbolic gesture reaffirming Senegal’s commitment to this dynamic of reconciliation and strengthened cooperation between the two neighbours.
This series of institutional meetings demonstrates the desire of both countries to implement the commitments
made during the ministerial mission in May, marking a new stage in the normalisation of Niger-Senegal relations.
AC/fss/as/APA