Les Relations Franco– Sénégalaises 2000–2012

The document examines the evolving relationship between France and Senegal, highlighting a shift from exclusive ties to a more diversified partnership under President Abdoulaye Wade. While France remains the primary economic partner and donor, the paper details periods of diplomatic tension, the reduction of French military presence, and a renewed cordiality following the 2012 elections of Macky Sall and François Hollande.

• France remains the most significant commercial partner and bilateral donor for Senegal, although Senegal has actively diversified its economic ties with countries such as China, India, and nations in the Middle East.
• French industrial dominance in Senegal decreased between 2003 and 2012, with the share of industrial companies that are subsidiaries of French firms dropping from 90% to between 75% and 80%.
• In 2010, France was the largest foreign investor in Senegal with 719 million EUR, accounting for nearly half of the country's foreign direct investments.
• France's bilateral aid to Senegal has remained relatively stable since 2003, averaging approximately 120 million EUR annually, with a focus on infrastructure, energy, agriculture, education, and health.
• France continues to be the preferred destination for Senegalese students, with 9,842 students studying in France during the 2010–2011 period.
• The French military presence in Senegal has been significantly reduced, decreasing from 1,300 pre-positioned troops to 450, with a further goal to reach 300 troops.
• The French military mission in Senegal was renamed the 'Éléments français au Sénégal' (EFS) on August 1, 2011, shifting its focus from intervention to regional security cooperation and training.
• Diplomatic relations under President Abdoulaye Wade were marked by volatility, including the recall of French ambassadors Jean-Didier Roisin in 2005 and Jean-Christophe Rufin in 2010 due to their critical views of the President.
• President Nicolas Sarkozy's 2007 speech at the Université Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD) caused lasting negative perceptions in Senegal due to its perceived paternalistic view of Africans.
• The 2012 elections of Macky Sall in Senegal and François Hollande in France are seen as the start of a more serene period of bilateral cooperation, particularly regarding security in Mali and Guinea-Bissau.

APA

Chafer, T. (2013). Les Relations Franco– Sénégalaises 2000–2012. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Occasional-Paper-142.pdf

Chicago

Chafer, Tony. Les Relations Franco– Sénégalaises 2000–2012. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2013. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Occasional-Paper-142.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Chafer |first1=Tony |title=Les Relations Franco– Sénégalaises 2000–2012 |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=April 2013 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Occasional-Paper-142.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{chafer2013les, author = {Chafer, Tony}, title = {{Les Relations Franco– Sénégalaises 2000–2012}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2013}, month = apr, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Occasional-Paper-142.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }