Arrr! Senegal's new captain be givin' the French a taste o' their own grog for meddlin' in our waters!
2024-05-17
Arrr, mateys! Senegal's fresh new Cap'n Ousmane Sonko, recently freed from the brig afore this year's grand election, be givin' France a good scoldin' fer meddlin' in our waters. Aye, the French be needin' to set sail back to their own shores, says he!
In the language of a 17th-century pirate, Senegal's new prime minister, who was recently released from jail and led his party to victory in the presidential election, has taken aim at the French military presence in the West African country.Ousmane Sonko, known for his fiery views, criticized France and the West for promoting values that he believes are not in line with Senegal's beliefs, including LGBTQ rights and monogamy, while polygamy is widely practiced in the country.Sonko, speaking alongside French politician Jean-Luc Mélenchon, emphasized Senegal's desire for self-determination and questioned the long-term presence of foreign military bases in the country, including the 350 French troops stationed there.His stance on LGBTQ rights has caused tensions with France, which has led to conflicts in the region, where other countries have expelled French troops and turned to Russia for support.Sonko also criticized the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for allowing divisions to grow and called for reforms within the regional bloc.Despite the potential fallout from his remarks, Sonko remains committed to strengthening ties with neighboring Sahel states and standing in solidarity with them.