Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye met French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Wednesday, marking a pivotal moment in relations between the two countries just weeks after France closed its last military bases in Senegal. The breakfast talks come after the withdrawal ended more than 60 years of continuous French military presence in the West African nation. The decision followed Faye’s 2024 election victory, during which he pledged to redefine Senegal’s ties with its former colonial ruler and treat France like “any other partner.”
Despite the troop pullout, both Dakar and Paris stress that security cooperation will continue, particularly against regional threats such as extremist groups in the Sahel. At the heart of the meeting, however, was Faye’s push for France to confront its colonial legacy. He has demanded an official apology for atrocities, including the 1944 massacre of Senegalese soldiers by French troops after World War II. Senegal also continues to press for the release of archives documenting the killings. Progress on these issues, analysts say, could help establish a more balanced and transparent partnership.
Beyond history, both governments are eager to emphasize common ground. Discussions focused on education, healthcare, sustainable development, and investment opportunities. Later in the day, Faye was set to address France’s most influential business leaders at a meeting hosted by MEDEF, the country’s largest employers’ federation, to pitch Senegal as a hub for regional growth. The visit signals a reset: while military bases may be gone, the future of Franco-Senegalese relations is set to be shaped by economic cooperation, development goals, and a long-awaited reckoning with the past.
