Africa: “We must put emotions aside and work on concrete concerns,” says Ousmane Sonko

This is the first visit to Mali by Senegalese head of government Ousmane Sonko since his party’s victory in the presidential elections in March 2024. Cooperation between the two countries was the focus of the visit, but it also included news from the subregion, especially the Alliance for the Sahel (AES).

Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko issued a statement after meeting with Malian President Colonel Assimi Goita. He stressed the importance of overcoming differences to promote regional unity, according to Africa News. “We need to put emotions aside and work on specific issues. If we are Pan-Africanists, then every Pan-Africanist must have as the only goal the unity of African peoples beyond differences.”

Ousmane Sonko also insisted on the need to re-establish strong ties between the countries and recalled the importance of the region’s historical unity. He added: “Whatever our differences may be, let us work, as our elders did, to rebuild the Mali Empire that stretched from here to Senegal, Ghana and beyond.”

Keeping ties between Senegal and Mali strong

The former Senegalese oppositionist recalled the consistency of his position at the Malian presidential palace. “As oppositionists, we were the first to firmly condemn the embargo imposed on Mali by brotherly countries, unfortunately including our own. I have condemned it in the name of my party and I will continue to condemn it. As I said, under our regime, this practice will never prosper and no one will destabilize Mali or any other brotherly country through Senegal or impose sanctions of this nature on it.”

He therefore reiterated “the desire to maintain strong relations between Senegal and Mali, based on geographical, historical, economic and social realities, which require us to be two very united countries and to continue to cooperate at all levels”.

“We will continue to work hard”

Regarding the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), Ousmane Sonko said he respects and understands the choices made by these countries. “We are all sovereign countries and we must respect each other in our sovereign choices. We respect the choice of Mali, we respect the choice of Burkina Faso. We respect everyone. We understand the choice,” he stressed.

It is worth noting that in the AES field, the return of the current Senegalese regime to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is often criticized. “Since when can we blame the Pan-Africanists for doing everything to keep us in a solid framework and not to divide us? We will continue to work. I say that whatever the outcome, whatever the choice, it will absolutely not change our relationship with each country.”

As for Senegal’s possible membership of the AES, Ousmane Sonko “made it clear that he never said Senegal would join the AES,” according to the Burkina Faso Information Bureau (AIB).

During this friendship and working visit, the Senegalese Prime Minister also expressed his condolences to the people of Mali who lost their lives in a terrorist attack in July 2024.

It is worth reminding that on September 16, 2023, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger announced the signing of the Liptako-Gourma Charter, thus creating the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). They left ECOWAS in January 2024.

Crispin Laventicki

Lefaso.com