Senegal: Diomaye Faye puts the sahel at the heart of his UN diplomacy
Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye is using his UN meetings in New York to focus attention on security challenges facing West Africa and the Sahel. His diplomatic agenda comes as he leads ECOWAS, a position he assumed in July 2026.
In New York, Faye has held talks with several African and international leaders on peace, security and regional cooperation. Discussions with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud included the security situation in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa, as well as efforts to fight terrorism.
At the same time, Faye met Burundi’s President Évariste Ndayishimiye, who currently chairs the African Union. Their discussions focused on challenges facing Africa and the need for closer cooperation between ECOWAS and the African Union.
Meanwhile, the Senegalese president also discussed the Sahel’s security situation with European Council President António Costa. Faye called for stronger European support for African peace initiatives and efforts to combat terrorism.
Against this backdrop, ECOWAS is dealing with a major regional shift following the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. Faye’s role comes as the regional bloc seeks to address security and institutional challenges across West Africa.
Furthermore, his diplomatic approach places greater emphasis on cooperation between African institutions and international partners. The discussions in New York highlight the role of African-led initiatives in addressing the continent’s security challenges.
Finally, the Sahel has become a major issue in Faye’s diplomatic agenda as ECOWAS chairman. His meetings at the United Nations reflect an effort to keep regional security, counterterrorism and African cooperation high on the international agenda.
