French President Emmanuel Macron is hosting his Senegalese counterpart, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, at the Élysée Palace in Paris on Wednesday, 27 August, in a meeting set to signal a new chapter in bilateral relations.
The talks come just two months after Senegal closed the last French military bases on its soil, underscoring a broader shift in France’s posture across Africa. Sensitive issues will be on the agenda, including Senegal’s demand for the full declassification of French archives on the 1944 Thiaroye massacre, and recognition of the true number of victims.
Economic cooperation will also feature prominently, with discussions expected on Senegal’s debt dispute with French company Eiffage over the Dakar–Diamniadio regional express train project, alongside broader themes of sustainable development, education, and health. Both leaders are aiming for what they describe as a “win–win” partnership, better aligned with Senegal’s priorities. Regional crises and global challenges will also be addressed, while President Faye is set to attend a major French business forum organised by Medef as a guest of honour.
