In the first week of December 2025, Senegal has demonstrated a strong focus on regional security, cultural diplomacy, and economic reform. Key events include the extradition of a Gambian alleged death squad member, the ongoing inaugural West African Festival of Arts and Culture (ECOFEST 2025) presided over by Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s significant remarks on the 81st anniversary of the Thiaroye Massacre. Maritime security concerns have also arisen following unexplained explosions damaging a Turkish tanker off the coast of Dakar. The government is actively pursuing fiscal consolidation and engaging in negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF)

Timeline of Events

• December 3, 2025: Senegalese authorities handed over Sanna Manjang, an alleged member of former Gambian President Yahya Jammeh’s “Junglers” death squad, to The Gambia. Manjang was arrested in the Casamance region following a joint operation between the two countries.
• December 2, 2025: A Turkish tanker, the Mersin, sustained damage from four unexplained explosions while anchored off the coast of Senegal on November 27, prompting its operator, Besiktas Shipping, to halt all Russia-linked shipping activities.
• December 1, 2025: President Bassirou Diomaye Faye commemorated the 81st anniversary of the Thiaroye Massacre, describing the pursuit of justice as a battle for the “soul of Senegal and Africa.” He pledged to strengthen the teaching of Thiaroye’s history in school curricula and announced archaeological investigations at the site with French technical cooperation.
• December 1, 2025: The U.S. Department of State renewed its Travel Advisory for Senegal, maintaining a Level 1 status (“Exercise normal precautions”) but advising increased caution in the Casamance region due to crime and landmines.
• November 30, 2025: Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko presided over the official opening ceremony of the first edition of the West African Festival of Arts and Culture (ECOFEST 2025) in Dakar. The festival, running until December 6, focuses on the role of culture in addressing political mutations and crises in West Africa.
• November 30, 2025: The Senegalese National Assembly debated the 2026 budget, set at CFA7.43 trillion, amidst the government’s push for fiscal reforms. Senegal is currently negotiating a new program with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) following the suspension of a previous one.
• November 28, 2025: Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko addressed Senegal’s parliament regarding the recent coup in Guinea-Bissau. He emphasized the importance of respecting the constitutional order, continuing the electoral process, and securing the release of detained officials.
• November 27, 2025: Ousted Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embaló arrived in Dakar, having been flown to Senegal with the assistance of Senegalese authorities following the coup in his country.
• November 20, 2025: Reports indicated an easing of tensions between President Faye and Prime Minister Sonko after President Faye held talks with the leadership of his ruling Pastef party to address rumors of a rift concerning the restructuring of the presidential coalition.

Diplomatic Movements

• Regional Mediation: Senegal, through Prime Minister Sonko’s statements and the exfiltration of former President Embaló, is actively involved in the regional response to the coup in Guinea-Bissau, emphasizing adherence to constitutional order.
• Cultural Diplomacy: Prime Minister Sonko’s prominent role in launching ECOFEST 2025 underscores Senegal’s use of culture as a platform for strengthening regional integration, dialogue, and peacebuilding across West Africa.
• International Engagement: President Faye is expected to deliver a presidential address at the MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2025 conference in Dakar from December 8-10, 2025, highlighting Senegal’s leadership in regional energy development. In July 2025, President Faye participated in a White House summit with African leaders, where the U.S. signaled a shift from “aid to trade” in its Africa policy.
• Economic Diplomacy: Senegal’s overall diplomatic focus, as reported in September 2025, is increasingly centered on attracting foreign investment. Dakar will also host the Nexten Summit from December 3-5, 2025, aimed at transforming Africa’s economic and technological landscape through artificial intelligence and blockchain.

Key Actors & Statements

• President Bassirou Diomaye Faye: On December 1, 2025, President Faye delivered a powerful message during the Thiaroye Massacre commemoration, asserting that the struggle for justice for the victims represents a fight for the “soul of Senegal and Africa.” He articulated a vision for Senegal and the African continent that is “unencumbered, youthful, ambitious, and resolutely open to the world.”
• Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko: On November 30, 2025, PM Sonko presided over ECOFEST 2025, emphasizing culture as a key lever for social cohesion, lasting peace, and inclusive development in a region marked by political and security crises. He also strongly advocated for the respect of the electoral process and the release of detained officials in Guinea-Bissau during his address to parliament on November 28, 2025.

Implications

The current events indicate Senegal’s proactive stance on both domestic and regional fronts. The extradition of Sanna Manjang highlights strengthened security cooperation with The Gambia and a commitment to justice. The government’s fiscal consolidation efforts and ongoing IMF negotiations underscore a focus on economic stability and reform, aiming to address significant budgetary challenges. The prominent cultural and technological summits hosted by Dakar (ECOFEST, Nexten) signal a strategy to position Senegal as a hub for regional integration and innovation, potentially boosting its cultural and digital economies. President Faye’s strong statements on the Thiaroye Massacre reinforce a national narrative of historical justice and Pan-African identity. Continued engagement in regional crises, such as in Guinea-Bissau, further solidifies Senegal’s role as a key player in West African stability, although the maritime security incident involving the Turkish tanker raises questions about potential wider geopolitical implications for shipping routes near its coast.

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