Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has declined an invitation to attend a Paris investment forum later this month, avoiding what would have been his first official visit to France since taking office. The September 23 event, hosted by French investment bank BPI France, had named him guest of honour, but his office explained that scheduling conflicts made it impossible for him to attend. A government representative will now stand in his place.
Even though Paris is off the agenda, Sonko’s diplomatic calendar remains active. This week, he will embark on a four-day trip to the United Arab Emirates, where he is expected to meet President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Later in the month, he will travel to Italy for engagements with members of the Senegalese diaspora across Europe. These moves reflect Dakar’s growing interest in strengthening ties beyond its long-standing relationship with France.
The decision comes as Senegal’s relationship with Paris continues to evolve. In August, France handed back its last two military bases in Senegal, ending a permanent military presence in both West and Central Africa. The withdrawal followed President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s call for French troops to exit by 2025, coupled with demands for an official apology over colonial injustices, including the 1944 massacre of African soldiers who had fought for France during World War II.
Sonko’s absence from the Paris forum, alongside his outreach to the Gulf and diaspora communities, sends a clear diplomatic message. Senegal is carefully recalibrating its alliances — keeping cooperation with France on the table, but reducing dependency on its former colonial power. This shift mirrors a wider trend in West Africa, where countries are asserting greater independence as they reshape their foreign policy priorities.
