<!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see WP:SDNONE -->
Senegal's first president, Léopold Senghor, advocated close relations with France and negotiation and compromise as the best means of resolving international differences after Senegal's independence from its status as a French colony. To a large extent, the two succeeding presidents, Abdou Diouf and Abdoulaye Wade, have carried on Senghor's policies and philosophies. Senegal has long supported functional integration among French-speaking West African states through the West African Economic and Monetary Union.
Senegal has a high profile in many international organizations and was a member of the UN Security Council in 1988–89. It was elected to the UN Commission on Human Rights in 1997. Friendly to the West, especially to France and to the United States, Senegal also is a vigorous proponent of more assistance from developed countries to the Third World. Additionally, Senegal has been a member state of the African Union since 1963.
Senegal borders The Gambia, Mauritania, Mali, Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau. Senegal enjoys mostly cordial relations with its neighbors. In spite of clear progress on other fronts with Mauritania (border security, resource management, economic integration, etc.), there remains the problem of an estimated 30,000 Black Mauritanian refugees living in Senegal.
Senegal is also a member of the International Criminal Court with a Bilateral Immunity Agreement of protection for the US-military (as covered under Article 98).
Pre-colonial foreign policy
Senegal was regarded as Senegambia before the arrival of Europeans (Jaiteh), where a number of independent kingdoms settled. By the 15th century, when the first Europeans arrived, Senegambia was linked to intra and inter-regional (Decourse, 8) trade networks that extended throughout the coast. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the African slave trade took advantage of autonomous kingdoms such as, the Wolof and Jolof kingdoms (Tang, 3). The establishment of French colonies coupled with the competing hegemonic power between local ethnic groups within the Wolof kingdom led to a power void after traditional rulers could not prevent the French from impeding the establishments already in place by politicians and elites (Venema, 4) . The change from slave trade to the trade of cash crops set the precedent for the collapse of states within both empires (Gray, 3). The French used Senegal's advantageous geographic location, on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, to safeguard their interest in the trade of groundnuts (Schraeder and Gaye, 488). The foreign policy of Senegal is also characterized by the religious values and beliefs of Islam. The spiritual traditions and foundations of Senegal represent another facet of foreign policy in and outside of the region. Political and diplomatic actors are ultimately determined by marabouts that intercede on behalf of the people to Allah (Schraeder and Gaye, 489).
Independence (1960–1989)
Senegalese independence began in 1960 with Léopold Sedar Sénghor as the first president and was succeeded by Abdou Diouf in 1980. Senegalese diplomats in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs believe that West Africa must unite in order to not only remain competitive in an international economy dominated by superpowers like China and the United States, but also promote and consolidate economic development within West Africa. Thiam implored Africa to move beyond the ideological divisions of the Cold War to form a third neutral ideology on which African states could build their own path. Due to the close economic relationship between France and Senegal, Senegal appealed to French protectionism over West Africa, declining to move too closely to any superpower. Nonetheless, Senegal's ties with Western countries like France tilted its alignment westward.
"La Francophonie"
One of the important strategic goals of Senegalese leaders was the integration and cooperation of Francophone Africa; a policy known as "la Francophonie" coined by President Senghor.
"Négritude"
Another cornerstone of Senegalese foreign policy during the Cold War was the exemplification of African Art and international cultural ties. This was connected to President Senghor's ideology of "Negritude" which emphasized Pan-Africanism and the exceptionalism of African culture. The event was a tribute the art and excellence of the African Diaspora across the world. In the development of the event, Senegal strengthened relations with the UN, African states like Ethiopia, and nations on both sides of the Cold War. Despite an official policy of non-alignment, Senegal used African Art and Culture as a negotiation tool with international partners and build a "soft" foreign policy with a variety of nations. At the same time, the First World Festival of Negro Arts was seen by many post-colonial states as neocolonial due to its connection to French concept of Negritude and cooperation with Western powers. Early after independence, a relationship was formed between President Senghor and U.S. President John F. Kennedy as part of the latter's "African Policy." Health diplomacy is another sector of aid that the United States and Senegal collaborate on. These include programs for child health, the prevention of Malaria, and family planning funded by USAID. Recently, the US sent $10.7 million of emergency aid and 99,450 vaccine does to Senegal to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Defense has also been a major area of partnership as Senegal has remained a stable nation in a region consistently fraught with violence. In 2016, both nations also signed a Defense Cooperation Agreement that would ensure joint-military training and missions in West African states affected by Islamic extremism and alleviate the need for more troops to be stationed in Senegal. Senegal has also supported U.S. military missions in Iraq (1991), Niger (2016), and even its own territory during the Ebola outbreak of 2014, through the auspices of the United States African Command (AFRICOM).
The relationship between the United States and Senegal is often limited by the country's strong ties with France, preventing deep connections from forming without diplomatic conflict. The French have been critical of recent "hard" diplomacy actions by the U.S., including AFRICOM and limited the nation's African Crisis Response Initiative (ACRI) to the training of African forces in West Africa.
Intergovernmental Organizations
ECOWAS
Senegal is a Zone A member of ECOWAS since its formation in 1975 with the signing of the Treaty of Lagos and the largest contributor of troops in the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG). According to the ECOWAS official website, Senegal's affairs in ECOWAS are currently overseen by Madame Aissata Tall Sall, Senegal's Foreign Minister. Senegal holds 6 seats in ECOWAS's Community Parliament, which assigns seats based on member states' populations.
The Trans-West African Coastal Highway was an ECOWAS project which made significant infrastructure developments that connected Senegals' Capital, Dakar, to other major cities in the surrounding region, such as Lagos in Nigeria and Nouakchott in Mauritania. Additionally, ECOWAS oversaw the construction of a 1.9 km bridge connecting Senegal to its interior neighbor, the Gambia, and has begun plans to construct a bridge connecting Mauritania and Senegal. Not only did these projects expand Senegal's physical infrastructure and access to its neighbors, but they are projected by officials to be prosperous for economic development through trade expansion.
Guinea-Bissau Civil War (1998)
Senegal contributed about 2,000 troops upon the request of President Joao Bernardo Vieira of Guinea-Bissau for support during the Guinea-Bissau Civil War. The contribution of Senegalese troops to the Civil War also served to benefit Senegalese national interests because Vieira's government was at risk of being replaced in a coup attempt by Ansumane Mane. Mane was believed to be sending weapons to Casamance separatists, who are a secessionist group in the southwestern region of Senegal. In November 1998, Senegal abided by the conclusion of the ECOWAS authority to withdraw Senegalese and Guinean troops from the intervention and instead allow the other ECOWAS nations to contribute armed forces in Guinea-Bissau.
The Gambia (2017)
ECOWAS militarily intervened in The Gambia in 2017 when Former Gambian President Yahya Jammeh refused to concede after losing the election that year, abbreviated as ECOMIG and code-named "Operation Restore Democracy". The Senegalese Foreign Minister first brought this concern to the U.N. Security Council in an emergency meeting (UNSC Resolution 2337). The resolution called for a peaceful resolution to the Gambian presidential crisis and passed unanimously; ECOWAS military forces, led by a Senegalese commander, entered the Gambia following the resolution's passage. Senegal's armed forces played an active role in this military intervention and had a vested political interest in Jammeh stepping down; Adama Barrow, the current Gambian president, was sworn into his presidential office in the Gambian embassy in Dakar, Senegal for fear of his safety. Additionally, Jammeh was a cause of concern because his alleged aid to Casamance separatists in Senegal.
Mali Federation (1959–60)
Senegal was an active member of the Mali Federation during its existence from 1959 to 1960. Along with French Sudan, Senegal advocated for the union of French-speaking West African nations, including the proposal of the union's name, and was a key contributor in its creation. The formation of the Federation reflected a desire to prevent AOF (Afrique Occidentale Française, or French West Africa) from fragmenting — the constitution writing process was led by Leopold Senghor and Modibo Keita, the first presidents of Senegal and Mali, respectively. The Confederation's disestablishment was initiated by the abrupt withdrawal of Senegalese troops from the Gambia, but ultimately was a culmination of multiple factors. Founded in 1973 after major droughts across the Sahel, CILSS has worked to uphold the work of ECOWAS in ensuring food and energy security, to educate local engineers on more sustainable development practices, to provide information on ongoing environmental problems, and to research the effects of climate change and desertification.
Senegal is one of the founding members of CILSS and one of its biggest contributors After 1973, member states began to leave the organization because of the lack of substantive work and integration of its governing bodies, especially following the establishment of the Organization of African Unity (later the African Union) in 1963 which had a broader Pan-African focus and mandate. Its other members include Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, and Guinea. The objective of the organization is to ensure the proper management and shared usage of water resources in the Gambia and Geba River Basins across the borders of member states. The OMVG has become increasingly important in recent years due to climate change and conflicts between Senegal and Guinea-Bissau over water resources in the Geba river. Former Senegalese President Senghor is considered one of the "founding fathers" of the organization. Dakar, the capital of Senegal, relies on the Senegal river for 75% of its water usage.
The OMVS has been an effective organization at developing the Senegal River Basin, but have experienced diplomatic and environmental problems throughout its existence. The most serious of these conflicts was between Senegal and Mauritania. In the late-1980s and early-1990s, there were a series of violent clashes between Senegalese farmers and Mauritanian herders over scarce resources near the river. as a result of three peaceful power-transitions since 1960 (WorldBank). Senegalese policy making is primarily based on immediate neighbors, the remainder of Africa, the Arab world and other Muslim states, and western democracies (Schraeder and Gaye, 501) An obligatory resolution mandated by the United Nations or a decree by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) may constitute an international commitment by Senegal.
Senegalese foreign policy is now characterized by a nationalism that is fueled by the place Senegal once had within the French colony and a traditional culture. Thus, constituting a sense of regional superiority in regards to the domain of regional integration. The thirty-five years of uninterrupted democratic rule in Senegal has also been a key factor in Senegalese foreign policy. Over seventy percent of people are dependent on agriculture to provide economic stability and most of Senegal's economic earnings stem from the exportation of groundnuts (Gray, 1). Senegal plays an active role within international organizations such as the United Nations Security Council, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Nepad, and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation or the International Organisation of La Francophonie (WorldBank).
In December 2024, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye indicated the end of all military presence of foreign countries in Senegal, from 2025.
Diplomatic relations
List of countries which Senegal maintains diplomatic relations with:
{| class="wikitable sortable"
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|26
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|44
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|46
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|47
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|48
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|49
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|50
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|—
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|51
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|52
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|53
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|54
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|55
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|56
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|57
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|58
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|59
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|60
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|61
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|62
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|63
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|64
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|65
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|66
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|67
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|68
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|69
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|70
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|71
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|72
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|73
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|74
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|75
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|76
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|77
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|78
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|79
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|80
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|81
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|82
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|83
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|84
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|85
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|86
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|87
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|88
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|89
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|90
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|91
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|92
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|93
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|94
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|95
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|96
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|97
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|98
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|100
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|101
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|102
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|103
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|104
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|105
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|106
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|108
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|109
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|110
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|111
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|112
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|114
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|—
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|117
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|118
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|120
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|123
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|124
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|126
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|127
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|128
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|129
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|130
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|132
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|134
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|135
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|138
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|140
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|143
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|145
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|146
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|149
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|150
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|156
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|157
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|158
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|159
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|161
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|164
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|165
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|167
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|168
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|169
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|Unknown
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|170
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|Unknown
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|171
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|Unknown
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Bilateral relations
Africa
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%; margin:auto;"
|-
! style="width:15%;"| Country
! style="width:12%;"| Formal Relations Began
!Notes
|- valign="top"
|||12 August 2002||Both countries established diplomatic relations on 12 August 2002
- Senegal is accredited to Madagascar from its embassy in Pretoria, South Africa.
|- valign="top"
|||4 May 1962||See Mauritania–Senegal relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 4 May 1962 when Permanent Representative of Mauritania to Senegal Mamadou Lamine Ba, presented his credentials to President Leopold Sedar Senghor.
In the years following independence, Mauritania's principal ally in sub-Saharan Africa was Senegal, although the two countries have espoused different strategies for development. The growing split between blacks and Maures in Mauritania has, however, affected ties with Senegal, which sees itself as championing the rights of Mauritania's black minority.
- Namibia has a resident embassy in Dakar.
- Senegal is accredited to Namibia from its embassy in Pretoria, South Africa.
|}
Americas
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%; margin:auto;"
|-
! style="width:15%;"| Country
! style="width:12%;"| Formal Relations Began
!Notes
|- valign="top"
|||26 May 1962||See Canada–Senegal relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 26 May 1962.
- Canada has an embassy in Dakar.
- Senegal has an embassy in Ottawa.
|- valign="top"
|||29 September 2015||Both countries established diplomatic relations on 29 September 2015
- Guatemala is accredited to Senegal, through its embassy in London, United Kingdom.
- Senegal is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States.
|- valign="top"
|||10 May 1962||Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 May 1962
See Mexico–Senegal relations
- Mexico is accredited to Senegal from its embassy in Rabat, Morocco. and maintains an honorary consulate in Dakar.
- Senegal is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States and maintains an honorary consulate in Mexico City.
|- valign="top"
|||24 September 1960||Both countries established diplomatic relations on 24 September 1960
See Senegal–United States relations
Senegal enjoys an excellent relationship with the United States. The Government of Senegal is known and respected for its able diplomats and has often supported the U.S. in the United Nations, including with troop contributions for peacekeeping activities. The United States maintains friendly relations with Senegal and provides considerable economic and technical assistance.
- Senegal has an embassy in Washington, DC and a consulate-general in New York City.
- United States has an embassy in Dakar.
|}
Asia
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%; margin:auto;"
|-
! style="width:15%;"| Country
! style="width:12%;"| Formal Relations Began
!Notes
|- valign="top"
|||7 December 1971||See China–Senegal relations
The People's Republic of China established diplomatic relations with the Republic of Senegal on December 7, 1971.
- Senegal has an embassy in New Delhi.
|-
|
|3 October 1980
|Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 October 1980
|- valign="top"
|||13 May 1971||See Iran–Senegal relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 13 May 1971.
Also the giant Iran-based automaker Iran Khodro established an assembly line to produce Iranian cars in Senegal and dispatch them to the African markets directly from Dakar. This Iranian-Senegalese company has the capacity to produce 10,000 Samand cars annually.
In 2011, Senegal cut ties with Iran, accusing Tehran of supplying separatist rebels in the Casamance region with weapons. They purport that these weapons were used in the killing of three Senegalese soldiers.
|- valign="top"
|||10 November 1960||
- Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 November 1960.
- Both countries restored diplomatic relations on June 4, 2017 after they were broken on October 28, 1973 following the Yom Kippur War.
- Israel has an embassy in Dakar.
- Israel has persuaded Senegal to open an embassy in Jerusalem.
|- valign="top"
|||<!--Date started-->1960||
- Japan has an embassy in Dakar.
- Senegal has an embassy in Tokyo.
See Malaysia–Senegal relations
- Malaysia has an embassy in Dakar.
- Senegal has an embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
|-
|
|15 March 1976
|Both countries established diplomatic relations on 15 March 1976
- Philippines is accredited to Senegal from its embassy in Rabat, Morocco.
- Senegal is accredited to the Philippines from its embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
|- valign="top"
|||19 October 1962||
- The establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Senegal and South Korea was on October 19, 1962
- South Korea has an embassy in Dakar.
|- valign="top"
|||9 August 1980||Both countries established diplomatic relations on 9 August 1980
- Senegal is accredited to Thailand through its embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
|- valign="top"
|||17 October 1963||See Senegal–Turkey relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 17 October 1963 when accredited first Envoy of Turkey to Senegal with residence in Dakar Mr. Abdülahad Birden.
- Senegal has an embassy in Ankara.
- Turkey has an embassy in Dakar.
The United Arab Emirates established an embassy in Dakar in March 2018, which was unveiled by Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development loaned Senegal $13 million to invest in rural solar energy.
- Senegal is accredited to Vietnam through the embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
- Vietnam formerly had an embassy in Dakar from 1973 to 1980; currently its embassy in Algiers is accredited to Senegal.
|}
Europe
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%; margin:auto;"
|-
! style="width:15%;"| Country
! style="width:12%;"| Formal Relations Began
!Notes
|- valign="top"
|||<!--Date started-->||
- Austria has an embassy in Dakar.
- Senegal is accredited to Austria, through its embassy in Berlin, Germany. Senegal also maintains an honorary consulate in Vienna.
- France has an embassy in Dakar and a consulate-general in Saint-Louis.
- Senegal has an embassy in Paris and consulates-general in Bordeaux, Lyon and Marseille and a consular agency in Le Havre.
|-
|
|23 September 1960
|See Germany–Senegal relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 23 September 1960
- Germany has an embassy in Dakar.
- Senegal has an embassy in Berlin.
|- valign="top"
|||14 February 2014||Both countries established diplomatic relations on 14 February 2014
- Senegal was the first African country which recognizes Kosovo's independence in 2008.
- In 2017, Kosovo opened an embassy in Dakar, both country enjoy excellent friendships.
|- valign="top"
|||18 June 1962||See Poland–Senegal relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 18 June 1962
- Poland has an embassy in Dakar.
- Senegal has an embassy in Warsaw.
|- valign="top"
|||5 November 1965||Both countries established diplomatic relations on 5 November 1965
- Romania has an embassy in Dakar.
- Senegal is accredited to Romania, through its embassy in Berlin, Germany. Senegal also maintains an honorary consulate in Bucharest.
|- valign="top"
|||14 June 1962||See Russia–Senegal relations
The Soviet Union established diplomatic relations with Senegal on 14 June 1962
- Russia has an embassy in Dakar.
- Senegal has an embassy in Moscow.
|- valign="top"
|||1 January 1993||Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 January 1993
- Slovakia is accredited to Senegal through its embassy in Abuja, Nigeria.
- Senegal is accredited to Slovakia, through its embassy in Berlin, Germany. Senegal also maintains an honorary consulate in Bratislava.
See Senegal–Spain relations
- Senegal has an embassy in Madrid.
- Spain has an embassy in Dakar.
|-
|
|20 June 1960
|See Senegal–United Kingdom relations
thumb|right|[[Foreign Minister of Senegal|Senegalese Foreign Minister Madické Niang with British Foreign Secretary William Hague in London, November 2010.]]
Senegal established diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom on 20 June 1960.
- The United Kingdom is accredited to Senegal through its embassy in Dakar.
Both countries share common membership of the Atlantic Co-operation Pact, the International Criminal Court, and the World Trade Organization. Bilaterally the two countries have a Defence Cooperation Agreement, a Double Tax Convention, an Investment Agreement, and a Technical Cooperation Agreement.
|}
See also
- List of diplomatic missions in Senegal
- List of diplomatic missions of Senegal
- Senegambia Confederation