President Macky Sall gave an exclusive interview to the French newspaper Le Monde, published this Friday, July 07, 2023. Questioned about Marine Le Pen’s visit to Dakar, the Senegalese Head of State admits for the first time to having received the patron saint of the French Far Right. While stressing that this hearing with this lady did not spoil her relations with the French President.
Our relations are very good. But we must avoid monotony. It is normal for there to be a few couacs, but that is nothing compared to the value of the relationship between France and Senegal. This goes beyond our people, to President Macron and myself,” the Senegalese President replied.
Not without deploring the delegation of the Élysée in March 2013 in Dakar to meet its main opponent Ousmane Sonko: Marine Le Pen came to Senegal and asked that I receive her, I accepted. This cannot be a factor destabilizing the relationship with France. For my part, I found it inelegant that Paris send [in March] an advisor [of the Elysée] to meet my opponent [Ousmane Sonko]. However, this will not break our relationship
President Macky Sall was also questioned about a possible future career abroad after his departure from the Palace. Especially at the UN.
I would like to serve Africa and the world. Global governance systems must be reformed, otherwise we Africans, no matter how hard we try, will not get away with it… The Bretton Woods institutions were established after 1945 when we were not sovereign. These mechanisms are completely out of phase with today. Moreover, the UN Security Council must be reformed for more inclusion. If we want to avoid a divide between G7 countries and emerging powers, we need to find a more balanced system. I also want to fight for Africa’s access to the capital market under sustainable conditions,” he said.
