The new Senegalese President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, sworn in on April 2, called for a “reimagined” partnership with the European Union (EU) in a joint statement with the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, visiting Senegal .
Between Europe and Senegal, “cooperation is dense and multifaceted but, together, we want a rethought, renovated partnership” and “capable of supporting the innovative dynamic that we want to imprint on our relations,” declared Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
Mr. Faye had promised in his program to reestablish a “sovereignty” sold off, according to him, abroad and wishes in particular to renegotiate gas and oil contracts as well as fishing agreements signed with the EU. Senegalese fishermen are faced with overexploitation of fishing resources, even though their activity represents a significant part of the economy of this coastal country.
“An endogenous economic model”
“When there is the feeling that subjects must be addressed, we should not fear it” to “bring about improvements on both sides,” declared Mr. Michel, citing “the question of fishing and fishery resources”.
The Senegalese president explained that his government’s priorities “are structured around an endogenous economic model of industrialization with the primary sector as a launching pad – agriculture, livestock and fishing – but also the strengthening of economic infrastructure, such as railways, electrification, telecommunications and the road network”. “European investors whose companies have proven skills in these different sectors are welcome,” he added.
“We have a very objective interest in Senegal being able to meet the challenges [of] development, [of] economic emergence and [of] improving the living conditions of the populations,” declared the President of the European Council . “The world order is the result of political choices that were made in the last century in a totally different world”, which is why the European Union “supports more justice and more inclusion”, assured Mr. Michel.