Senegalese Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko
Senegalese Prime Minister and leader of the Pastef party, Ousmane Sonko, has recently announced a series of international trips that would include the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and Guinea aimed at strengthening political ties and promoting the pan-Africanist ideals of his party.
The tour, which will begin with visits to Guinea, Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, indicates the strong commitment to regional and continental cooperation of the President Bassirou Diomaye Faye government.
The choice of these countries appear to be well calculated as Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger are all states under military rule and are key players in the West African political landscape as they have all voiced strong commitment to pursuit of pan-Africanist ideals. Their strategic importance to achieving the goals set out by the Senegalese government is also a key consideration.
Sonko seeks to establish strong political partnerships that could potentially influence regional and continental dynamics. In addition, Pastef will receive a delegation of the French left-wing populist political party, La France Insoumise (LFI) in Dakar from May 14 to 18, 2024, made up of elected officials and led in person by Jean-Luc Mélenchon.
This initiative also aims to strengthen the party’s political partnerships. President Faye, after Pastef’s victory, continues to display a pan-Africanist posture on essential issues such as international partnerships and currency.
“Sonko’s international tour demonstrates Pastef’s commitment to closer political cooperation between West African countries and the importance given to pan-Africanist ideals,” a member of the Pastef party said.
