In a pivotal visit to Ankara, Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko engaged in extensive talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, signalling a new chapter in their countries’ bilateral relations.
Both leaders voiced a shared ambition to elevate their economic partnership to unprecedented heights, setting an immediate target of achieving a $1 billion trade volume.
President Erdogan lauded the ongoing projects led by Turkish companies in Senegal and affirmed Ankara’s commitment to supporting Senegal’s National Transformation Program—Senegal 2050.
The cooperation extends beyond traditional economic ties, encompassing sensitive sectors such as security, defense, and counterterrorism efforts.
This broadened collaboration was foreshadowed earlier this year when Haluk Görgün, head of the Turkish defense industry directorate, visited Dakar to discuss technology transfers and training for Senegalese military personnel.
The foundation of this partnership is further solidified by a November 2024 contract valued at 317 million euros (over 208 billion CFA francs) with ICC Yapı Yatırım for supplying military equipment across aviation, naval forces, and equipment management.
As African nations increasingly prioritise security sovereignty, Senegal’s alliance with Turkey offers a crucial strategic advantage. Beyond procurement, this partnership is shaping into a structured technical cooperation, blending Turkish expertise with Senegal’s defence needs.
By engaging reliable non-Western suppliers, Dakar aims to diversify its sources while optimising costs and delivery timelines.
On the political front, the visit saw both leaders express strong mutual support on the Palestinian issue. Erdogan praised Senegal’s consistent backing of the Palestinian people, commending it as a beacon of diplomatic courage. He denounced the violence in Gaza as a “silent genocide,” particularly against children, warning that “Those who starve and kill children will be held accountable before the law and before history.”
This alignment deepens Ankara-Dakar ties amid a volatile geopolitical landscape where South-South solidarity is becoming a cornerstone of proactive diplomacy. For Prime Minister Sonko, the visit not only opened fresh avenues for cooperation but also anchored Senegal’s role within a framework of equitable partnership. The success of this strategic relationship now hinges on the two nations’ ability to translate intentions into concrete achievements.
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