France and Senegal: a balanced partnership beyond the colonial legacy

A new chapter in relations between Paris and Dakar was confirmed on Wednesday by French President Emmanuel Macron and his Senegalese counterpart Bassirou Diomaye Faye.

This shift was embodied in their “shared determination” to strengthen bilateral ties during their meeting at the Élysée Palace, which Emmanuel Macron described as “excellent.”

The talks went beyond economic and security cooperation to also address painful chapters of their common history, most notably the Thiaroye massacre, perpetrated by French colonial forces in 1944, whose repercussions are still deeply felt in Senegalese memory.

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Macron stated on the social platform X that the goal is to “renew the partnership and bring our countries closer,” while Bassirou Diomaye Faye stressed that the meeting provided an opportunity to reaffirm their shared commitment to enhancing cooperation in investment, trade, defense, and security.

The two leaders also discussed international issues and preparations for the upcoming Africa–France Summit scheduled for 2026.

The historical issue was strongly present, as Senegal has repeatedly called for full disclosure of archival documents related to the Thiaroye massacre, which officially claimed 35 lives according to French estimates, but up to 400 victims according to some historians.

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In November 2024, Emmanuel Macron officially acknowledged France’s responsibility for the massacre, a gesture described at the time as a “symbolic breakthrough” in bilateral relations.

The meeting comes as Senegal seeks to redefine its relations with major powers on more “balanced” terms, following the withdrawal of French troops from its territory in July as part of a broader pullout that also affected Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.

Although France has remained Senegal’s closest Western ally since its independence in 1960, the new leadership in Dakar now emphasizes the principle of “equal treatment” with all its international partners.

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At the same time, Senegal is aiming to capitalize on its growing role as a producer of oil and gas since 2024, a dynamic highlighted by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s call to American investors during his meeting with President Donald Trump in Washington to seize opportunities in the energy sector.

The latest meeting at the Élysée thus reflects the interplay of economic interests with historical and security challenges, at a time when both countries are testing the resilience of their partnership in an Africa undergoing rapid shifts and profound transformations in the balance of power.

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