Diplomatie : Ousmane Sonko invoque l'héritage gaullien pour justifier la quête de souveraineté du Sénégal
During Pascal Boniface's conference, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko addressed the issue of relations between France and Africa. On Thursday, April 9, 2026, the Prime Minister advocated for a renewal of historical ties, based on mutual respect, sovereignty, and a better understanding of African realities. From the outset, Sonko denounced the way some external analyses confine African political realities to simplistic categories. He specifically cited the case of his party, often portrayed in foreign media as a left-wing organization. "We are presented as a pan-African left-wing party. Pan-African, yes, it's in our statutes. But where have we claimed to be aligned with the left, the right, or the center?" For him, these oversimplifications reflect a lack of understanding and a misinterpretation of local political dynamics. He called for a more rigorous reading of African texts and realities, moving beyond imported frameworks.
Sovereignty: the reference to De Gaulle
In a striking passage, the Prime Minister invoked French political history to support his argument. He quoted General de Gaulle, recalling France's ability to assert its sovereignty vis-à-vis the United States after the Second World War. He specifically mentioned disagreements over currency, nuclear power, and military bases. "This same France must understand, 65 years later, that we feel this need for the same sovereignty. This does not mean that we reject historical ties." Sonko insisted: Senegal's quest for sovereignty does not signify a break with France, but rather a desire for equality in international relations. The Prime Minister then called for a refounding of Franco-African relations on a more balanced basis. According to him, the future depends on the partners' ability to listen to each other and recognize the aspirations of African peoples. He believes that France would benefit from taking this new African political reality into account, lest it see tensions already observed on the continent repeated elsewhere. He reminded everyone that Senegal remains open to cooperation, but rejects any form of tutelage or domination.
Addressing the issue of natural resources, Ousmane Sonko also warned against the logic of international exploitation. He called on African states to be more vigilant against foreign interests in strategic sectors. According to him, political sovereignty must go hand in hand with economic control, particularly in the management of natural resources. However, Ousmane Sonko did not call for a break with France, but rather for a paradigm shift. Even drawing on references from French history, he urged Paris to recognize new African aspirations. "The era of asymmetrical relations is coming to an end. The future of Franco-African relations must now be built on a foundation of equality, respect, and shared sovereignty," he concluded.
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