France’s withdrawal from Senegal carries weight well outside bilateral relations. The timing coincides with West Africa’s most serious crisis since independence.
In January 2025, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger formally left ECOWAS. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s decision to close all foreign military bases by 2025 positions Senegal uniquely. Unlike the coup-led Alliance of Sahel States, Senegal achieved change through democratic means.
The Sahel’s Search for New Partnerships
With democratic legitimacy intact, Senegal could bridge the growing divide between ECOWAS and the departed Sahel states. The Alliance of Sahel States has already launched its own passport system and joint military structures.
Senegal’s geographic position makes it a natural gateway. The country offers Atlantic access to landlocked Sahel states previously dependent on southern routes through Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. President Faye’s pan-Africanist credentials and left-wing politics connect with the sovereignty-focused rhetoric of AES leaders.
Economic Incentives Drive Regional Realignment
Before their ECOWAS exit, trade between Senegal and the Sahel states reached sizeable levels. Mali alone accounted for considerable portions of Senegal’s regional exports. The new AES confederation seeks other trade routes to bypass ECOWAS-imposed sanctions and restrictions.
Furthermore, Senegal’s Dakar port could become the primary outlet for Sahel goods. The country’s infrastructure development under previous administrations positioned it well for expanded regional trade. During the colonial period, Senegal served as the administrative hub for French West Africa, maintaining connections that persist today.
Security Cooperation Outside Colonial Frameworks
In contrast to colonial arrangements, the withdrawal of French forces from Senegal removes a major obstacle to security cooperation with the Sahel. The three AES countries have established joint military command structures. Senegal’s democratic military could provide legitimacy to these arrangements.
Counter-terrorism efforts in the Sahel require regional coordination. Senegal’s experience with jihadist groups in Casamance and its successful democratic transitions offer valuable lessons. The country’s military maintains professional standards while avoiding the coups that plague its neighbours.
Addressing the Sceptics’ Concerns
Opponents will point to Senegal’s ECOWAS membership as an insurmountable barrier. They claim that aligning with military juntas damages democratic credentials. Some observers worry about economic disruption from breaking established trade patterns.
However, Senegal’s democratic legitimacy actually strengthens its position as a mediator. The country can maintain ECOWAS membership while building bridges to the Sahel states. Economic partnerships don’t require formal political alignment, as demonstrated by numerous international examples.
Building Bridges Through Pragmatic Engagement
Rather than choosing sides, Senegal should pursue dual engagement. The country can maintain ECOWAS membership while developing closer ties with the AES confederation. An approach like this leverages Senegal’s unique position as a stable democracy with historical Sahel connections.
The return of French military facilities provides immediate opportunities. Converting these sites into trade hubs or regional cooperation centres would signal Senegal’s commitment to African-led solutions. The symbolic value of transforming colonial military bases into integration tools cannot be overstated.
A New Chapter for West African Integration
Senegal’s French military withdrawal represents more than bilateral change. It opens possibilities for reimagining West African cooperation outside colonial frameworks. The country’s democratic stability and geographic advantages position it as a natural bridge between divided regional blocs.
The handover of the Contre-Amiral Protet compound in Dakar’s strategic port area symbolises change. Where French colonial power once projected force, Senegal now has the opportunity to project integration and cooperation across the fractured region of West Africa.
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