Faced with the legitimate concerns of the deputies about the continued deterioration of the security situation in the Sahel and in Mali, Ministers Cheikh Niang and Birame Diop attempted to reassure the national representation, this Friday, May 22, 2026, at the National Assembly, about the effectiveness of the diplomatic and military measures put in place by Senegal.

Speaking during the question period, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Senegalese Abroad reiterated that the Malian crisis poses a major existential challenge for the entire West African sub-region. "The crisis in Mali presents political, security, and humanitarian challenges for the sub-region," stated Cheikh Niang. Without revealing details of the ongoing strategic negotiations, he emphasized the absolute necessity of maintaining a constant channel of dialogue with the transitional authorities in Bamako. "In diplomacy, we don't reveal everything publicly. But what guides our conduct is dialogue with the Malian government," he explained. The head of Senegalese diplomacy reaffirmed that Dakar prioritizes an approach based on shared responsibility and the historical solidarity between the two sister nations. "The stability of Mali is an essential condition for our social survival," he asserted gravely.

Senegal is also leading the advocacy efforts with international partners to prevent Mali's diplomatic and economic isolation, despite the particularly tense geopolitical context. "We are advocating for partners not to abandon Mali and for all international support to be provided," the minister added.

Military deterrence and cross-border cooperation

On a purely operational level, the Minister of the Armed Forces, Birame Diop, acknowledged the reality of a significant security presence deployed in sensitive areas of the country, while maintaining the necessary discretion regarding national defense secrets. "We have a deterrent presence capable of responding to any crisis," the retired general affirmed. According to him, the Senegalese defense and security forces operate according to a logic of prevention, anticipation, and gradual escalation in order to secure areas exposed to the risks of destabilization or terrorist incursions.

The minister also made an urgent appeal to people living in border areas to cooperate more closely with units deployed in the field. "People must share what they see and hear," he insisted, emphasizing the importance of human intelligence in asymmetric warfare.

Birame Diop also emphasized the strength of military cooperation with several international security partners who, in his words, have "a strategic interest in Senegal remaining an island of peace." Finally, the Senegalese and Malian authorities are maintaining their joint efforts through regular joint commissions tasked with sharing intelligence and monitoring real-time flows across their shared border. For the Government, this dual coordination, both diplomatic and military, is now the essential lever for preventing any contagion of the Sahel crisis onto Senegalese soil.