Written by: Badr Ahmed

The President of Senegal concluded his official visit to Germany with a meeting with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, a meeting that reflected the depth of the historical relations between the two countries and their shared desire to strengthen bilateral cooperation and open new horizons for partnership in the areas of development, investment and security.

During the talks, the two presidents praised the strength of Senegalese-German relations, which date back to the early years of Senegal's independence. Both sides affirmed that the ties between the two countries are based on a long history of trust and cooperation, beginning in 1962 when a German president visited Dakar, a visit that remains etched in Senegalese memory, as the Diourbel Regional Hospital still bears his name.

Dakar and Berlin share similar views on African security and the Sahel crises

The Senegalese President affirmed that his visit is an extension of this historical legacy, expressing his aspiration to strengthen the gains achieved over the decades and to open new areas of cooperation that serve the interests of both countries.

The meeting addressed various aspects of bilateral cooperation, particularly in the energy, health, education and vocational training sectors, which have witnessed remarkable development in recent years with the support of joint economic initiatives, most notably the Compact with Africa program, which aims to encourage investment and stimulate economic growth on the continent.

The Senegalese president also praised the support provided by Germany to his country during the coronavirus pandemic, stressing that Berlin was Senegal’s number one bilateral partner during that period, especially through its contributions to supporting the Pasteur Institute in Dakar and strengthening national health capacities.

On the economic front, the Senegalese president noted the growing interest of German companies in investing in Senegal, where they are already active in diverse sectors including tourism and hospitality, cold chains, and industrial packaging in Diamniadio, as well as the cotton and textile industry. He emphasized that the economic reforms being implemented by the government aim to improve the business climate and facilitate access to finance, thereby enhancing the country's attractiveness to foreign investors.

At the international level, the talks revealed a convergence of views on a number of regional and international issues. The Senegalese president called on Germany to strengthen its involvement in supporting security and stability in Africa, particularly in the Sahel region, which faces increasing threats from extremist groups, reiterating his country's commitment to resolving conflicts through dialogue and peaceful means.

At the end of the meeting, the Senegalese President extended a formal invitation to his German counterpart to visit Senegal, in a move that reflects the two countries’ desire to continue strengthening the bonds of friendship and cooperation that have united them for more than six decades.