Senegal issues stern warning to French mining industry

This ongoing economic dominance and resource extraction have sparked debates and actions aimed at restoring balance.

The Senegalese government is now reaffirming its commitment to reclaim control over its mining sector to ensure economic sovereignty.

At the Mining on Top Africa summit in Paris, Minister of Mines and Petroleum Biram Soulèye Diop articulated Senegal’s intention to seek the best possible deals for its resources, beyond the confines of European markets.

“We must reap benefits globally!” Diop declared, emphasizing Senegal’s openness to economic partnerships with countries like Saudi Arabia.

Diop also stressed the importance of local mineral processing, which would facilitate skill transfer and enhance national sovereignty. “As long as we don’t decide to process locally, we don’t achieve skill transfer,” he stated.

He criticized the lack of transparency from former colonial partners, noting that countries like France still hold crucial information about Senegal’s mineral resources that they have not shared.

Renegotiating existing mining agreements is a cornerstone of this strategy.

Although this poses risks, including potential tensions with mining companies, historical precedents indicate that these companies often agree to new terms.

To reassure investors, Diop highlighted Senegal’s political stability, a significant asset in a region often plagued by instability.

This stability is seen as a guarantee for potential investors, despite the ongoing changes in the country’s mining policy.

In essence, Senegal is resolute in its quest to transform its mining sector for greater profitability, while diversifying its economic partners.

This approach is part of a broader effort to strengthen economic sovereignty and reduce dependency on former colonial powers.

This movement is gaining momentum across several African countries, including some of the most critical of France, such as Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.

In Central Africa, nations like the Democratic Republic of Congo are also advancing along similar lines.

This strategic shift reflects a growing trend among African nations to assert greater control over their natural resources and economic futures, signaling a significant change in the continent’s relationship with its historical exploiters.