Senegal and the Republic of Congo have agreed to establish an ad hoc committee aimed at deepening cooperation in key strategic sectors, including energy, forestry, agriculture, and sanitation.
The decision was announced during a joint press conference held in Dakar by Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and his Congolese counterpart Anatole Collinet Makosso, concluding a session focused on enhancing bilateral relations.
The announcement came on the third day of Prime Minister Makosso’s five-day official visit to Senegal, which began on June 10 with a large ministerial delegation.
The two leaders highlighted the need to boost intra-African trade, which currently stands at only 16%, and reaffirmed their commitment to collaborative development.
They celebrated ongoing cooperation in higher education, military, and technical areas, including a 2018 agreement ratified by Congo in 2020. Recalling historical ties dating back to the 15th century, the Congolese Prime Minister emphasized the longstanding relationship between Dakar and Loango during the era of triangular trade.
Formal diplomatic relations between the two nations were established in 1968, with a cooperation agreement signed in 1974.
The visit aligns with Senegal’s priority focus on African diplomacy, reinforcing partnerships within the continent before seeking external engagements.
