William Molinié, edited by Juliette Moreau Alvarez
modified to
8:55 a.m., October 25, 2022
By asking African countries to position themselves in the Ukrainian conflict by showing solidarity with Europe, France has strained its relations with many countries which see it as French interference. On the side of Senegal, which nevertheless has good relations with Paris, the call for “solidarity” was not well received.
Another front for French diplomacy after that of the war in Ukraine, the growing Russian influence in Africa. Two weeks ago, of the 54 African countries, only 26 voted in favor of the UN resolution condemning the annexation of the four Ukrainian regions by Russia. Nearly half of African countries claim non-alignment in this conflict. At the Dakar forum in Senegal, the crossroads of security and defense which ends this Tuesday evening, France is asking the continent to help Europe and join it at its side in the concert of nations.
“Diplomacy is sovereignty”
If France appeals to the solidarity of African countries, this request was not really well received: from the African point of view, it is at best a clumsiness, at worst an interference. What is certain is that it has tensed even in the host country, yet still one of the few “friends of France” in the sub-region.
Aïssata Tall Sall, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Senegal, demands that micro Europe 1 respect the sovereignty of her country. “I cannot accept that it is said that Senegal’s position is an ambiguous position. Are we asking any power to justify its position? Never,” she says firmly. “Why should African states be asked, when they take a position, to justify it? Diplomacy is sovereignty par excellence.”
French diplomacy wants to be less arrogant and more discreet to avoid fueling anti-French sentiment. Behind the scenes, a French source explains. “Obviously we don’t dictate their vote. We respect their sovereignty. But African countries must understand that we need their help today.” Like an almost impossible return of the elevator, at a time when African heads of state are challenged even in their own public opinion when they show too much proximity to Paris.