Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has withdrawn from attending the investor forum hosted by BPI France in Paris on September 23, where he was originally set to appear as guest of honour during what would have been his first official visit to France.
According to a statement from his office last week, Sonko cited a scheduling conflict and confirmed that another member of his cabinet would take his place at the forum.
The decision has sparked speculation at a time when Senegal and France are reassessing their bilateral relationship. In August, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye met French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris to explore new avenues of cooperation.
Sonko, however, stressed that diplomatic engagement remains on track, noting that he will soon host the French prime minister in Dakar for an intergovernmental seminar announced jointly by both governments.
While Paris is no longer on his agenda, Sonko continues to pursue a full international programme. He is currently visiting the United Arab Emirates and will head to Italy on September 13–14 to meet members of the Senegalese diaspora in Europe.
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