Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has called for the closure of French military bases in the country, stating that their presence undermines Senegal’s sovereignty.
This request comes as Senegal prepares to mark the 80th anniversary of the 1944 Thiaroye massacre, a tragic colonial-era event in which French troops killed Senegalese soldiers protesting delayed wages after their return from World War II.
In an interview on Thursday, November 28, Faye emphasized that while Senegal values its relationship with France, the presence of foreign military forces is no longer compatible with the country’s independence.
“Senegal is an independent country, a sovereign country, and sovereignty does not accept the presence of military bases in a sovereign country,” Faye told AFP.
The call for the removal of French troops is part of a broader initiative by Faye’s administration to reduce Senegal’s reliance on foreign powers.
He pointed to China, which has become Senegal’s largest trading partner without any military presence in the country, as an example of how economic ties can thrive without the need for foreign military involvement.
“Does China have a military presence in Senegal? No. Does that mean our relations are cut? No,” he explained.
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Senegal remains one of the few countries in West Africa that still hosts French troops, even as other regional nations like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have expelled French forces and sought security assistance from countries such as Russia.
Earlier this year, it was reported that France planned to reduce its troop presence in Senegal, cutting the number from 350 to just 100.
Despite advocating for the closure of military bases, Faye reiterated that Senegal still values its partnership with France, especially in trade, investment, and the presence of French companies.
In his interview, he also revealed that he had received a letter from French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledging the Thiaroye massacre as a “massacre,” a step Faye described as essential for reconciliation.
Faye indicated that he may request a formal apology from France for the incident, which remains a sensitive and painful chapter in Senegal’s history.
As Senegal prepares to commemorate the anniversary of the massacre, the call for military base closures underscores the nation’s continued efforts to assert its sovereignty and hold former colonial powers accountable.
