Senegalese diplomacy: A vision, a line and actions

Under the vision of the President of the Republic, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Cheikh Niang, Minister of African Integration, Foreign Affairs and Senegalese Abroad, is gradually making his mark. He works to translate Senegal’s valiant diplomatic tradition into action.

Former permanent representative of Senegal to the United Nations, minister-counsellor at the permanent mission of Senegal in New York, former consul in New York and diplomatic advisor to the Head of State, Cheikh Niang has extensive experience in diplomatic mysteries. Appointed in September 2025, he was reappointed to his position on June 1, 2026. But beyond the journey, it is the initiatives undertaken which outline the contours of his vision.

In July 2026, during the ECOWAS summit in Lungi, Senegal took over the current presidency of the organization for one year. A few weeks later, the Minister of African Integration, Foreign Affairs and Senegalese Abroad, in his capacity as president of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of ECOWAS, proceeded in Abuja to the installation of General Birame Diop, as president of the organization’s Commission.

This gives Senegal important institutional responsibilities at a time when West Africa is going through a period of profound restructuring. In the interview given to France 24 and RFI in New York, on September 24, 2026, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye was asked about the future of relations between ECOWAS and the AES countries (Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger). “We don’t have any forbidden sense,” he replied. This response shows a Senegalese diplomacy which seeks to dissociate the institutional rupture from the diplomatic rupture.

Promotion of multilateral relations

The recent trip to New York was another highlight. On the occasion of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye presented Senegal’s positions on “the reform of the multilateral system, the representation of Africa in international bodies and the major issues of peace and development”.

The stay was punctuated by high-level interviews and meetings. The President spoke with several international officials.

At the same time, Senegal is preparing its candidacy for a seat as a non-permanent member of the Security Council for the period 2032-2033. This approach is part of a desire to strengthen the country’s presence where major international security issues are discussed.

Economic diplomacy in focus

One of the markers is the growing place given to economic diplomacy. This orientation responds to a presidential desire to make foreign policy more of an instrument serving the country’s economic interests. In New York, the President of the Republic, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, met with several of his counterparts and businessmen. These discussions also focused on the economic outlook.

O.BA