During his address at the Dakar Conference on African Sovereignty, Senegal’s Prime Minister voiced sharp criticism of recent US military moves under President Donald Trump, while tackling African sovereignty in ties with Western nations. Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko delivered an unsparing speech on African sovereignty on April 9 at the Dakar Conference held at the Museum of Black Civilizations. He fiercely attacked the chaotic, destabilizing US foreign policy led by President Donald Trump. Cutting straight, the head of government challenged American interventionism and its impact on global stability, questioning the relevance and effectiveness of military commitments at an event drawing key African and international figures.
Sonko also addressed Western relations, especially France’s with Africa.
Has the world truly grown safer under US President Donald Trump? On this burning international question, Senegal’s Prime Minister gave a clear no.
Tackling the ongoing Middle East clash—US and Israel versus Iran—the Senegalese leader slammed Washington’s bid to topple Tehran’s government, which flopped alongside aims to curb Iranian missiles and nix its nuclear program. “None of the goals were met, yet the world is thrust into unjustified chaos. Mr. Trump is not a man of peace; he’s a man of world destabilization,” he hammered.
Treat African Partners “On Equal Footing”
Among attendees was Pascal Boniface, founder and director of the Institute for International and Strategic Relations, who in his talk framed Global South-Western ties as clashing poles. Nations like Nicaragua, Iran, or North Korea “want to break with the West,” he said, while others welcome Western links but demand “equal footing” partnerships. “In truth, they all share rejection of a world where the international agenda is solely Western-dictated.” He warned: “If Westerners don’t grasp this—if they keep chasing military flops costly to all—they’ll worsen matters”.
For an Africa Free to Pick Allies and Path
Echoing Boniface, Sonko championed an Africa unbound in ally choices and destiny. He urged African leaders to enforce win-win Western pacts, especially with France. “If France heeds our voice, it’ll see this as the sole path to salvation in Africa ties,” he added. Per Sonko, saying no on key issues isn’t opposition—especially on sovereignty and global balance. He cited de Gaulle, who “said no” to US demands for its currency and bases post-Nazi liberation. “This same France must understand—and we’re doing so 65 years late—that we feel this need for true sovereignty,” he concluded.