La Politique Etrangere du Sénégal Depuis 2000

This research paper analyzes the evolution of Senegal's foreign policy from 2000 to 2013, focusing on the transition from the administration of President Abdoulaye Wade to that of President Macky Sall. It examines the shift toward 'technicization' and economic diplomacy, the concentration of power within the executive branch, and the influence of pan-Africanism.

• Since 2000, Senegal's foreign policy has undergone a 'technicization,' where the Ministry of Foreign Affairs no longer holds a monopoly over international relations. Technical ministries, such as the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Ministry of African Integration, have been granted diplomatic representation powers via decrees, including decree 2000–296 of May 2, 2000.
• The formulation of foreign policy has increasingly involved non-state actors and specialized agencies focused on economic promotion. Examples include chambers of commerce and the Investment Promotion Agency of Senegal, as well as the SAPCO-Sénégal (Société de Promotion et d’Aménagement des Côtes et zones touristiques), which signed a $142 million convention with a US company in 2011.
• The President of the Republic maintains near-total control over foreign policy, supported by constitutional articles 37, 42, 52, 95, and 98. This 'hyper-presidentialism' is reinforced by 'summit diplomacy' and the use of special envoys, which often bypass traditional diplomatic channels and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• The Senegalese Parliament has very limited oversight of foreign policy. Many agreements are concluded as 'simplified form agreements' (executive agreements) that do not require parliamentary authorization. Even when the Parliament is involved, it typically only votes on a brief authorization law to allow the President to ratify a treaty already signed by the executive.
• The judiciary's role in foreign policy is marginal. Constitutional review of international engagements by the Constitutional Council is extremely rare, with only one direct case noted since 1992 (the Ohada treaty in 1993). Additionally, there is a lack of 'conventionality control' where national judges set aside domestic laws in favor of international obligations.
• Under President Wade, Senegal shifted toward 'economic diplomacy' and South-South dialogue, diversifying partners beyond traditional allies like France. This included intensified relations with China, Iran, Morocco, and Dubai. A notable project is the Diamniadio platform, involving Dubai Ports World and expected US funding of $1 billion via the Millennium Challenge Corporation.
• There was a renewed emphasis on pan-Africanism and immediate political unity in the 2000s, moving away from the gradualist approach of the 1960s. Senegal became a proponent of immediate global political decision-making structures for Africa, though the author notes this often lacked a corresponding material economic solidarity.
• Foreign policy under President Wade was highly personalized, which sometimes led to diplomatic tensions. Examples include a 2001 statement regarding Burkinabè in Côte d'Ivoire that strained relations with Côte d'Ivoire, and contradictory positions on the extradition of Hissène Habré.
• Following the election of President Macky Sall in 2012, Senegal returned to a more 'classical' diplomacy. This included restoring privileged relations with France, supporting the Gabonese candidate Jean Ping for the African Union Commission, and improving relations with neighbors Gambia and Mauritania.

APA

Sall, A. (2013). La Politique Etrangere du Sénégal Depuis 2000. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Occasional-Paper-140.pdf

Chicago

Sall, Alioune. La Politique Etrangere du Sénégal Depuis 2000. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2013. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Occasional-Paper-140.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Sall |first1=Alioune |title=La Politique Etrangere du Sénégal Depuis 2000 |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=April 2013 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Occasional-Paper-140.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{sall2013politique, author = {Sall, Alioune}, title = {{La Politique Etrangere du Sénégal Depuis 2000}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2013}, month = apr, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Occasional-Paper-140.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }