Senegal’s Political Character and its Connections with the Middle East

Abstract

Abstract Senegal is a country that values diplomacy. It is a predominantly-Muslim populated, constitutionally secular, nonaligned state having relations with most countries in the world. Senegal has maintained a stable political system with peaceful transfers of power despite being located in a region of Africa witnessing unstable conditions in recent years. Its leadership is well regarded by countries with different political systems and through that reputation has been able to receive needed technical and economic assistance while maintaining an independent foreign policy. Senegal has exercised influence on the continent, and even beyond, greater than a number of African countries larger in size, since its independence from France in June 1960. Therefore, it has attracted the attention of outside powers, including those in the Middle East of middle size. Those countries, namely Saudi Arabia (together with Morocco and its allies in the Gulf), Türkiye, Iran and Israel, have regarded Senegal as a “gateway” to West Africa and the Sahel region. Yet while Senegal’s ties especially with France and its neighbors in Africa have received much scholarly attention, academics have only recently begun to investigate Senegal’s connections with the Middle East; it is indeed one important aspect for anyone wishing to study Senegal’s foreign relations in a more comprehensive fashion and to have a better understanding of how this country is quite successful in balancing those ties.