On 9 December 2024, the President of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embalo, had a very eventful week in the French capital. A stop at the Invalides, a participation in the symbolic reopening of the Notre-Dame cathedral and, to top it all off, a working lunch with Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée. The highlight of his visit to Paris. No. Obviously, he had not come to contemplate (only) the newly renovated gargoyles of Notre-Dame.
Two countries, a common priority
After a remarkable arrival on Saturday, one could even say that among the heads of state in Paris this weekend, the Bissau-Guinean head of state, Umaro Sissoco Embalo, was the guest “star” – of course far behind Elon Musk (more than a head of state) and Donald Trump. He shook hands, hugged, poured a few words into each other’s ears, multiplied official and unofficial meetings. During his working lunch with Emmanuel Macron, he reminded France that Guinea-Bissau does exist, even if it is not francophone. But we’re not going to be talking about such a trivial detail, because this is the first meeting of its kind between the two leaders. This is a testament to the strong ties that unite these two countries as they go beyond language barriers. We do not need to speak the same language to find strategic priority points for the development of key sectors in each of our countries.

France-Guinea-Bissau, Keyword: cooperation
The lunch included discussions on energy transition, strengthening health and education systems, cultural development and regional security. Among the projects envisaged, the construction of a French high school in Guinea-Bissau represents a major step forward for the country’s youth. Umaro Sissoco Embalo believes that this bilateral cooperation is part of a strategy for stability and sustainable development. Increasingly, the Guinean president Bissau has been very present on the international stage since 2020. Chairman of the ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States), Embalo is a key interlocutor for western partners.

Embalo, not a fan of language
Umaro Sissoco Embalo has a quality, which could sometimes become a defect. This career military is a real African patchwork. As much as it allows him not to go unnoticed, it can be an obstacle in terms of diplomacy. Son of a corporal, descendant of Malian and Guinean lineages, Embalo embodies an Africa with plural identities. Frank, direct and without filter, his style is at odds with traditional diplomatic codes. Polyglot, he easily juggles between Portuguese, French, English and Spanish, which gives him a rare ease on the international scene. Embalo fully accepts this singularity that makes it almost impossible to do without him during the big meetings, despite the smallness of his country. Hence his presence in Paris for the reopening of Notre-Dame and his exchanges with Emmanuel Macron testify to this ambition.

Oil-filled speeches on bilateral cooperation
Although Guinea-Bissau is not a francophone country, it remains a key African partner for France. This working lunch in the Élysée marks an important step in strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries. For Embaló, it is not only a question of securing partnerships that are beneficial to his country, but also of consolidating his stature as an African leader committed to regional stability issues. That neither the size of a country nor the number of its inhabitants are an obstacle: it is enough to have charisma, substance, like Embalo.

In Senegal, the line between culture and politics is often very thin, and Stefane Kabou understood it perfectly. He perfectly embodies this symbiosis. Born in Dakar, he first made his weapons as a cultural actor. But, for some years now, he seems to have understood that the true strength of the African states must lie in his actions, by the way sovereignists, to get out of western oppression by giving the possibility to the Africans to take charge, without a western babysitting. Africa, an aggregate of disunited peoples, must become a living reality, this is in a few words the ambition of this movement.

Stefane Kabou on the political scene
Like a river following its normal course, Stefane Kabou came naturally to politics. For many years, it has multiplied actions in favor of the most disadvantaged and fought against incivism through extensive awareness campaigns, Not without being despised by some of his compatriots and ridiculed by more than one. In a concern for social justice and exasperated to see that Africa in general, and particularly Senegal can not take charge, he launched into politics. He wants to become an essential figure in the Senegalese political landscape, thanks to his movement, the “Mouvement Sénégal Souverain” in short (MSS).

Stefane Kabou, Leader Mouvement Sénégal Souverain (MSS))

Why the MSS?
At the beginning, the name of the “Mouvement Sénégal Souverain” was “NATANGUÉ”, which means in Wolof hope. The leader, Stefane Kabou, had as his goal, as it can be read on his Facebook page, to create: “a movement based on solidarity and mutual assistance” that proposes that “solidarity, dialogue, peace are at the center of the debates.” But this name has evolved into a more global form to become the MSS, a political and social movement that advocates for genuine social justice and national independence in African countries, particularly Senegal. Let us point out that this movement does not deny the reasons why it was created. Stefane Kabou, seeing the desolation of the most disadvantaged strata, the almost militant contempt of successive governments at the head of the Senegalese state, decided to launch into politics in order to act directly on the causes of the problems that are undermining the country.

Stefane Kabou, a freedom-loving sovereignist
By founding the “Mouvement Sénégal Souverain”, Stefane Kabou has given new life to his struggle and a certain dynamic to Senegalese politics. The MSS does not merely denounce the dysfunctions of political regimes, it proposes an alternative vision for the country. The Movement advocates total economic and political sovereignty of the country, highlighting the need to diversify the Senegalese economy and establish transparent governance. His words are clear: “Senegal must free itself from all external interference in order to finally control its own destiny.” What could be more normal?

Stefane Kabou, Leader Mouvement Sénégal Souverain (MSS))

The MSS, against injustice and for transparency
Stefane Kabou stands out in his actions, both on social networks and on the streets of Senegal, for his commitment against impunity, against poverty, against incivism. He does not take lightly to openly denounce what he perceives as abuse of power, while calling in a spirit of peace the parties to the negotiations, as was the case during the last elections in Senegal. This peace-loving man has always called for an end to the violence and injustice suffered by many Senegalese. For him, the struggle for national sovereignty also involves the restoration of justice and the rule of law.

Stefane Kabou, a visionary leader
The career of Stefane Kabou, from his beginnings in Kaolack to his rise on the national political scene, testifies to his determination to influence the future, the course of politics in Senegal. Through the MSS, this emblematic leader positions himself as a key player of the new generation of Senegalese leaders, ready to redefine the rules of the political game for a fairer and more sovereign future. Stefane Kabou is a visionary, a man whose commitment could well shape the future of Senegal. Under the impetus of the “Mouvement Sénégal Souverain”, Stefane Kabou is on his way to becoming an indispensable force in public debate, embodying the hope for a political renewal for many Senegalese.

Moustapha Thiam is a man of many talents, entrepreneur, speaker, coach and author. He holds an MBA in human resources management from ESG Paris and is the CEO of Exigences IT, a recruitment firm specializing in the transfer of skills between France and Africa. He is also co-founder of ExiProd, an audiovisual production company based in Paris that values African entrepreneurs and talents.

A commitment to the elevation of humanity
Convinced of the importance of human elevation, Moustapha Thiam is a leader focused on the social impact and development of African youth. His leadership career began in 2007 when he was elected president of the Fosco at the Sokone high school, and then president of the student board at the Institut Supérieur de Management in 2011 in Senegal.

Its commitment to the Senegalese diaspora is reflected in several initiatives. He directed the association of Senegalese students in Rouen and the Collectif des associations africaines de Normandie in 2013. Since 2016, he has been the founding president of the Solidarity Movement for the Development of Africa (MSDA), which brings together 25 African countries and 7 diaspora, supporting young Africans in their professional integration, both in Africa and in Europe.

An inspiring coach and mentor
Moustapha Thiam believes in youth and their potential to build a better future. As a personal development coach, he leads workshops and works in schools and universities in France and Africa. He is the first young African to represent African youth in the National Assembly in France on employment and entrepreneurship issues.

For him, education is essential to self-realization. He founded Exigence School, a software package to digitize the education system in Africa. With slogans such as “learn, understand, act”, he encourages young people to become agents of change.

Moustapha Thiam

An inspiring journey
His book, Adversity is my ally, recounts his inspiring journey and reflects his conviction that we must fight to exist. His vision of success is based on the ability to positively impact the lives of others. Driven by an unconditional love for Africa and Senegal, Moustapha Thiam attaches great importance to accompanying young people in their development.

Its motto, “Vive la Teranga,” embodies the values of peace, prosperity, justice and unity. The words that define him are humility, humanism, kindness, empathy and unity. Her credo, “Living together, doing together, accepting and loving each other to accept and love others,” exemplifies her inclusive and caring approach.

A promising future
Moustapha Thiam is also a candidate for the parliamentary elections to represent the diaspora, as head of the list of the coalition Gox Yu Bess. Its political commitment is part of the defence of the interests of the diaspora and the promotion of initiatives for the development of Africa.

Through his various initiatives, Moustapha Thiam continues to distinguish himself as a visionary leader, determined to build a better future for African youth.