Will the French soldiers stationed in Senegal pack their bags? In any case, this is the wish of the president of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye. In an interview with our colleagues at Le Monde, this Thursday, November 28, the African leader questions the presence of 350 French soldiers in his country, considering that “this does not correspond to our conception of sovereignty and independence.”
This tricolor military force is present after “the treaty signed between France and Senegal (…) as part of a preventive posture,” explains the Ministry of the Armed Forces on its website.
There is no deadline set “at the moment”
“Why would we need French soldiers in Senegal? What country can have foreign soldiers on its territory and claim independence?” asks Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
The latter considered that it is “obvious” that the French soldiers will leave Senegal without setting a deadline “for the moment.”
“We have cooperation with the United States, China and even Türkiye without these countries having a base on our soil (…) Is France capable of doing this? Isn’t it because the French have been there since the time of slavery? that it is impossible to do anything else,” judges the Senegalese president. Bassirou Diomaye Faye, however, softened that relations with France “remain in good shape.”
This statement comes at a time when Russia is increasing its influence, particularly military, in Africa to the detriment of France.
Source: BFM TV
