Diplomacy: Senegal and Niger strengthen ties through renewed Diplomatic engagement
Diplomatic relations between Niger and Senegal have entered a new phase of cooperation following the resumption of dialogue in May 2025. Senegal’s Ambassador to Niger, Mouhamadou Sarr, has been actively engaging with Nigerien officials to reinforce this normalization process.
On Tuesday September 2nd, 2025, Ambassador Sarr met with Dr. Mamoudou Harouna Djingarey, President of Niger’s Consultative Council for Refoundation, to discuss enhanced bilateral cooperation.
The following day, he met with the delegated administrator of Niamey to explore decentralized cooperation a strategic effort to bring the two nations’ populations closer.
This diplomatic re-engagement marks a significant shift. Senegal had initially supported ECOWAS’s hardline stance toward Niger following the July 2023 change in government.
However, in a notable turnaround, Senegalese Minister of Armed Forces General Birame Diop led a high-level delegation to Niamey in May 2025, paving the way for reconciliation.
Priority areas identified include military collaboration, particularly intelligence-sharing in the fight against terrorism, increased trade, improved air connectivity with a proposed direct Dakar-Niamey flight, and joint management of migration.
Ambassador Sarr also highlighted existing city-level partnerships between Niamey and Senegalese municipalities such as Dakar, Louga, and Kébémer, underscoring the potential for deeper people-to-people ties.
This pragmatic pivot from confrontation to cooperation reflects a broader realignment within the region and a shared commitment to addressing common security and economic challenges.
Neil Camara
