Historical wounds, economic tensions and new areas of partnership topped the agenda on Wednesday as French President Emmanuel Macron sat down with his Senegalese counterpart, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, at the lyse Palace.
No subject was taboo for the meeting, which came just weeks after France closed its last military bases in Senegal, ending more than six decades of permanent presence.
One of the most delicate questions on the agenda is Thiaroye the1944 massacreof Senegalese soldiers by French forces.
Dakar has long called for the full release of military and judicial archives and for recognition of the scale of the killings. Progress here would be seen in Senegal as a sign of greater balance and transparency in relations.
Bullets unearthed in Senegal cemetery could shed light on Thiaroye massacre
Economic ties
Economic disputes are also on the table, including a row over theDakar-Diamniadio expressproject. French construction company Eiffage is seeking about 150 million in unpaid bills.
At the same time, both governments want to highlight common goals in sustainable development, education and healthcare.
Beyond bilateral matters, Macron and Faye were expected to exchange views on regional crises and global challenges, frominstability in the Sahelto international trade.
Later in the day Faye was due to take part as guest of honour at a major gathering of French business leaders hosted by Medef, the countrys largestemployers organisation, in a sign of Frances push to position Senegal as a key partner for investment in Africa.
French military to leave Senegal amid ongoing withdrawal from Africa
French military withdrawal
The meeting takes place against the backdrop of Frances military departure from Senegal.
In July, the final French installations in Dakar the Geille camp and a base at the capitals airport werehanded overto Senegalese command.
Marked by flag-raisings and a symbolic exchange of keys, the ceremony closed a chapter that dated back to the colonial era.
The withdrawal followed negotiations launched in 2022 and sped up after Fayes election, with hisPastef partypromising to end foreign military bases on Senegalese soil.
It also fits into Frances wider reshaping of its military footprint in Africa, with troop withdrawals this year from Chad and Cote dIvoire.
Both governments insist this does not mean an end to security ties. Training missions and cooperation in fields such as maritime surveillance and cybercrime will continue, though without French troops permanently based in Dakar.
We must reinvent our partnerships in response to the aspirations of a young generation we no longer need bases to do that, General Pascal Ianni, Francescommander for Africa, said at the July handover.
Originally published on RFI
