Senegalese authorities are embracing bilateral diplomacy and pragmatic engagement with Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger in a strategic push to address shared challenges in the Sahel, particularly in light of the emergence of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES).
On Monday, 19 May, Senegal’s Minister of the Armed Forces, General Birame Diop, met with Mali’s transitional leader, General Assimi Goïta, at the Koulouba Palace in Bamako. The visit signalled a renewed commitment to cooperation amid rising insecurity in western Mali, especially near Senegal’s border. Security collaboration between the two nations has intensified since February, with joint patrols around Diboli involving Senegal’s Military Zone No. 4 and the Rapid Action Surveillance and Intervention Group (GARSI).
In Ouagadougou, during a two-day official visit, Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko met with his Burkinabe counterpart Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo and President Ibrahim Traoré. Mr Sonko advocated for an inclusive resolution to tensions between ECOWAS and the AES, urging reflection on the bloc’s past missteps.
He criticised ECOWAS’s approach to political transitions, particularly the sanctions imposed on Mali and threats of military intervention in Niger.
Senegal’s diplomatic outreach also extended to Niamey, where General Diop, accompanied by Amadou Hott – Senegal’s candidate for the African Development Bank presidency – met with President Abdourahmane Tiani. Discussions focused on reactivating cooperation in defence, trade, security, and transportation, including the potential launch of a direct Air Senegal route to enhance trade and information-sharing on security matters.
These engagements form part of Senegal’s broader strategy to position itself as a key diplomatic actor in an increasingly complex regional landscape.
