German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock will embark on a trip to West Africa on Monday, aiming to strengthen ties with Senegal and Ivory Coast to prevent the instability in the Sahel from spreading across the region. This initiative is viewed as crucial for safeguarding European security.
“If more countries in West Africa descend into instability, that will not only have dramatic consequences for the local population, but also a direct impact on our security in Europe,” Baerbock stated ahead of her two-day visit.
Baerbock’s visit to Senegal on Monday and Ivory Coast on Tuesday occurs amid a wave of instability in the Sahel region, dubbed the “Coup Belt” following military uprisings in Mali, Chad, Guinea, Sudan, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Gabon since 2020. Many of these new military governments have turned away from the European Union and ECOWAS, seeking support from Russian forces instead. However, Senegal and Ivory Coast have maintained their relations with the West and are considered crucial partners for Europe, particularly as more Sahel nations turn to Russia.
During her visit, Baerbock will meet Senegalese Foreign Minister Yassine Fall and newly elected President Bassirou Diomaye Faye in Dakar. Migration and renewable energy are expected to be key topics of discussion, with German business representatives accompanying Baerbock.
One notable stop on her trip will be the electric Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in Dakar, launched in May and financed by the European Investment Bank and the World Bank. This system aims to improve the city’s air quality.
Germany’s focus is on creating solutions that benefit both sides and address future challenges. This aligns with the EU’s Global Gateway initiative, which plans to invest up to €300 billion ($326 billion) in infrastructure projects in emerging and developing countries over the next few years.
Baerbock’s visit comes as a record number of migrants attempt to reach Spain’s Canary Islands from Africa. In 2023, nearly 40,000 migrants arrived on the islands, twice the average of previous years, with over 1,000 fatalities or disappearances. This year, numbers are expected to rise, with Senegal surpassing Morocco as the primary departure point.
