The President of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, was in Mali this Thursday, where he met with the Malian transitional president, Colonel Assimi Goïta, before going to Ouagadougou in the evening. A lightning visit which is part of a dynamic of strengthening historical links of good neighborliness, solidarity and multifaceted cooperation, and with an important symbolic value.
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With our correspondent in Dakar, Léa-Lisa Westerhoff
The image is strong. Bassirou Diomaye Fayedemocratically elected in suit and tie, next to the colonel Assimi Goïta, interim president in military uniform. “ It is the continuity of its good neighborly policy and an important diplomatic sequence », Analyzes a researcher.
Bassirou Diomaye Faye advocates dialogue and believes in African integration, says a source at the presidency. The president of Senegal has therefore invested itself with a mission: that of convincing the countries of the Alliance of States of Sahel to return to the ECOWAS. This double visit is part of this desire.
This is therefore a strong mark of respect from the Senegalese president who wishes to strengthen ties while relations had deteriorated significantly during the time of former president Macky Sall, who was very critical of the Sahelian putschist military regimes.
I understood the Malian position, which, although rigid, is not completely inflexible. From my point of view, we must continue to work with all stakeholders and not be discouraged from finding successful outcomes that allow us to strengthen integration.
The President of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, in Bamako
Its youth, its democratic legitimacy and its stated rejection of the policy of sanctions vis-à-vis the AES countries are assets, according to several analysts.
Visiting Mali, @PR_Diomaye was warmly welcomed upon his arrival by the authorities. With his counterpart the Colonel @GoitaAssimiPresident of the Transition, they reviewed bilateral cooperation between the two countries and discussed integration issues. pic.twitter.com/guzZ0elczy
— Presidency Senegal (@PR_Senegal) May 30, 2024
Many files on the table
The other major issue is securing its southeastern border with Mali, avoiding infiltration by jihadist groups and maintaining good commercial relations with Mali. Senegal is its first economic partner. The arrival of sheep from Mali for tabaski and the progress of the restoration of the railway between Dakar and Bamako were also on the agenda of the discussions.
He has not made a public appeal regarding holding elections. According to a source at the presidency, “ It’s a matter of domestic politics. “.
The Senegalese president then went to Burkina Faso to meet with the president of the transition, Captain Ibrahim Traoré.
THE @CaptainIb226 President of the Transition and Head of State, gave a very fraternal welcome to his host, the @PR_Diomayeon arrival.
A friendship and working visit for exchanges on subjects of common interest aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation. pic.twitter.com/WC6mE56nWt
— Presidency Senegal (@PR_Senegal) May 30, 2024