The relationship between Senegal and Nigeria is a significant case study in the dynamics of West African international relations. This article explores the bilateral relations between Senegal and Nigeria from 1960 to 1980, a period marked by both cooperation and conflicts.
Map of West Africa
Senegal's Foreign Policy: An Overview
Senegal's foreign policy is based on constant principles, some of which are enshrined in the Constitution, while others derive from international legal instruments to which Senegal is a party. For Senegal, peace is conceived as the establishment among all States of relations of confidence perceived by each State as safeguarding its own security in the same way as that of the others. This conception of peace is at the basis of its bilateral relations.
Since the eve of African independence, Senegal has consistently advocated African integration. For Senegal, this integration is not only a remedy for the balkanisation of the continent but also a means of maximizing Africa's economic assets, with a view to creating real internal markets.
The Pan-African orientation defined by the Head of State makes Africa the top priority of his diplomacy; With the objective of achieving the African Union, which will be the only regional integration framework capable of meeting the challenge of globalization. Its initiatives for the realization of the United States of Africa are part of this framework.
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The importance that Senegal attaches to human rights has earned it since its inception the presidency of the United Nations Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People. At the African level, Senegal's role in the drafting, adoption and entry into force of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and its current struggle for women African.
Senegal pursues an active foreign policy and aspires to represent Africa on the UN Security Council. While France is a close ally for historical reasons, Senegal has also sought allies as far apart as the Middle East and China, and enjoys good relations with the United States, where a large Senegalese community resides.
President Senghor advocated close relations with France and negotiation and compromise as the best means of resolving international differences. To a large extent, the two succeeding Presidents have carried on Senghor's policies and philosophies. Senegal has long supported functional integration among French-speaking West African states through the West African Economic and Monetary Union. Senegal has a high profile in many international organizations and was a member of the UN Security Council in 1988-89. It was elected to the UN Commission on Human Rights in 1997.
Friendly to the West, especially to France and to the United States, Senegal also is a vigorous proponent of more assistance from developed countries to the Third World.
Historical Context
Senegal was regarded as Senegambia before the arrival of Europeans, where a number of independent kingdoms settled. By the 15th century, when the first Europeans arrived, Senegambia was linked to intra and inter-regional trade networks that extended throughout the coast. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the African slave trade took advantage of autonomous kingdoms such as, the Wolof and Jolof kingdoms.
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The establishment of French colonies coupled with the competing hegemonic power between local ethnic groups within the Wolof kingdom led to a power void after traditional rulers could not prevent the French from impeding the establishments already in place by politicians and elites. The change from slave trade to the trade of cash crops set the precedent for the collapse of states within both empires.
The French used Senegal's advantageous geographic location, on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, to safeguard their interest in the trade of groundnuts. The foreign policy of Senegal is also characterized by the religious values and beliefs of Islam. The spiritual traditions and foundations of Senegal represent another facet of foreign policy in and outside of the region. Political and diplomatic actors are ultimately determined by marabouts that intercede on behalf of the people to Allah. Some marabouts establish loyalist relationships of patron with political leaders.
Senegalese independence began in 1960 with Léopold Sedar Sénghor as the first president and was succeeded by Abdou Diouf in 1980. Senegalese diplomats in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs believe that West Africa must unite in order to not only remain competitive in an international economy dominated by superpowers like China and the United States, but also promote and consolidate economic development within West Africa.
Senegalese policy officials prioritize and use the individual strengths of surrounding African countries in order to strengthen regional economies and weaken regional dependency on foreign actors. During the Cold War, Senegal was part of the non-aligned world and remained neutral throughout the conflict.
In 1965, the first Foreign Minister of Senegal, Doudou Thiam, published a book titled "The Foreign Policy of African States." Thiam implored Africa to move beyond the ideological divisions of the Cold War to form a third neutral ideology on which African states could build their own path. This concept of non-alignment became a central theme in Senegalese politics. and the Soviet Union.
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France accounted for 95% of all investments in Senegal and 80% of Senegal's foreign trade in the 1960s. Due to the close economic relationship between France and Senegal, Senegal appealed to French protectionism over West Africa, declining to move too closely to any superpower. Another cornerstone of Senegalese foreign policy during the Cold War was the exemplification of African Art and international cultural ties. This was connected to President Senghor's ideology of "Negritude" which emphasized Pan-Africanism and the exceptionalism of African culture.
In 1966, the First World Festival of Negro Arts was hosted in Dakar, Senegal. The event was a tribute the art and excellence of the African Diaspora across the world. In the development of the event, Senegal strengthened relations with the UN, African states like Ethiopia, and nations on both sides of the Cold War. The United States was one of the key supporters of the event, sending the largest delegation of performers, artists, and technician of any of the 43 participating nations.
Despite an official policy of non-alignment, Senegal used African Art and Culture as a negotiation tool with international partners and build a "soft" foreign policy with a variety of nations. Senegal's non-alignment policy also contributed to the building of significant relationships with other nations. President Sénghor developed strong political and economic ties with the Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. President John F. Kennedy as part of the latter's "African Policy."
Nigeria: A Regional Power
Africa’s most populous country is Nigeria. The exact population has been difficult to determine, but 2020 estimates report the population to be over 205 million. This is a country of more than 250 different ethnic groups with twice that many separate languages or dialects. English is the official language, along with Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo (Ibo), all of which are spoken by ten million people or more.
The distribution of the major ethnic groups is illustrated by the different regions of the country. Hausa groups are found mainly in the northern region, Kanuri groups in the northeast, Yoruba in the southwest, and Igbo (Ibo) in the southeast. Ethnic division has also caused serious confrontations and violence. In 1967, a separatist movement in the eastern Igbo region created the independent nation of Biafra. This sparked an all-out civil war that lasted more than two years and resulted in more than a million deaths. Political divisions did not end even after the two sides reconciled and the country was united under the same government in 1970.
Religious issues add to the political instability. The north is mainly Muslim, as it is located in the African Transition Zone. The south is mainly Christian. A large percentage of the population follows animist religions with many different traditional beliefs. Clashes have erupted in the streets that pit Muslims and Christians against each other. Several northern provinces have pushed to have the Sharia criminal code made into the area’s civil law.
Nigerian cuisine consists of dishes or food items from the hundreds of ethnic groups that comprise Nigeria. Like other West African cuisines, it uses spices and herbs with palm or groundnut oil to create deeply flavored sauces and soups.
Most of the population makes their living on subsistence agriculture, but millions are employed in the growing urban service sector. Nigeria’s main economic engine is the oil industry, which accounts for up to 80 percent of government revenues and is the number one export product. The lucrative oil business has attracted many seeking to share in the profits. The government’s distribution of oil revenues has brought about even more infighting, corruption, and mismanagement within the political leadership. Rebels and militant groups along the Niger Delta, where most of the oil activity is located, have attacked the oil industry’s infrastructure and taken workers hostage.
Poverty, a low standard of living, the lack of opportunities and advantages, a poor educational system, or the lack of social services does not diminish the human spirit. Confronting all these issues and more, the people of West Africa and Nigeria are vibrant, energetic, and hard-working and value the institutions of family and religion. Just because they have not transitioned to a consumer society does not mean they cannot find fulfillment and happiness in their lives.
Key Events and Developments
Nigeria is among the 15 member countries of the ECOWAS, an organization promoting integration and economic cooperation in West Africa that was founded in 1975 through the Lagos Treaty.
This article incorporates public domain material from "Senegal". Bilateral Relations Fact Sheets.
The People's Republic of China established diplomatic relations with the Republic of Senegal on December 7, 1971. The Senegalese Government and the Republic of China (Taiwan) signed a communique on "resuming diplomatic relations" on January 3, 1996. Therefore, the Chinese Government announced the suspension of diplomatic relations with Senegal on January 9, 1996. China and Senegal resumed diplomatic ties at the ambassadorial level as of Oct.
Also the giant Iran-based automaker Iran Khodro established an assembly line to produce Iranian cars in Senegal and dispatch them to the African markets directly from Dakar. In 2011, Senegal cut ties with Iran, accusing Tehran of supplying separatist rebels in the Casamance region with weapons.
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 17 October 1963 when accredited first Envoy of Turkey to Senegal with residence in Dakar Mr.
Both countries share common membership of the Atlantic Co-operation Pact, the International Criminal Court, and the World Trade Organization.
Senegal within ECOWAS
Senegal is among the 15 member countries of the ECOWAS, an organization promoting integration and economic cooperation in West Africa that was founded in 1975 through the Lagos Treaty. Highly committed to economic issues, President Macky Sall dedicated his mandate to integration. His priorities to strengthen regional integration include free movement of people and goods.
Senegal's Relations with Neighboring Countries
Senegal enjoys mostly cordial relations with its neighbors. Relations with The Gambia have suffered due to disputes over cross-border access. Relations with Guinea-Bissau have improved since the death of former Junta leader Ansumane Mane in 1999, who was thought to have aided the Casamance rebels.
Senegal borders The Gambia, Mauritania, Mali, Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau.
The country of Senegal on the Atlantic coast totally surrounds the independent country of the Gambia. Senegal was a French colony, while the Gambia was a British colony. The Gambia is an enclave of Senegal and extends on both sides of the Gambia River for about 186 miles. It is the smallest country on the mainland of Africa and is about the size of the US state of Connecticut. The two countries of Senegal and the Gambia were united into the confederation of Senegambia from 1982 to 1989 when it was dissolved.
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Table: Senegal and Nigeria Key Facts
| Country | Population (2020 est.) | Official Language(s) | Main Economic Engine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senegal | ~16.7 million | French | Fishing, tourism, agriculture |
| Nigeria | ~205 million | English | Oil industry |
Ethnic Groups in Nigeria
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