Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg will travel to Africa on Monday. On visits to Senegal and South Africa, scheduled until Friday, he will be accompanied by a business delegation because, in addition to discussing (security) policy issues, the aim is to promote foreign trade and Austrian economic cooperation. The ÖVP minister will probably also appeal to Africa to understand European policy towards Russia.
A meeting is planned in the Senegalese capital, Dakar, for Tuesday, with Annette Seck Ndiaye, who, as minister, represents Schallenberg's counterpart, Ismaila Madior Fall. He is on a trip abroad with President Macky Sall. Talks are also scheduled with the Minister of Justice, Aissata Tall Sall, and the Minister of Economy, Doudou Ka. On Thursday, Schallenberg will be received by his counterpart Naledi Pandor in Pretoria, where the South African government is based. Appointments with State Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan and Economy Minister Ebrahim Patel follow on Friday.
As expected, Russian President Vladimir Putin's African policy will also be discussed. Moscow is trying to sell its aggression in Ukraine, in the Global South, as a revolt against Western colonial rule. Furthermore, Moscow is endearing itself to many of the continent's dubious rulers by providing military support without lifting a finger on human rights, for example in the form of the discredited Wagner mercenary group.
According to Schallenberg's office, the focus in Senegal is on “issues of security, regional stability and migration”. Senegal is considered an anchor of stability on the western edge of the “Sahel coup belt”, argues the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, citing recent coup attempts in Guinea-Bissau (on Senegal's southern border) and Sierra Leone. Therefore, a visit to the special forces “Forces spéciales marines” on the island of Gorée is planned, whose combat divers are trained by the Austrian Armed Forces.
In fact, Senegal has been considered a model of stability in West Africa. The former French colony has not suffered any war or violent upheaval since its independence in 1960 and is considered a solid multi-party democracy. There were three peaceful transfers of power in 2000, 2012 and 2019. The country was spared a coup d'état. Furthermore, the predominantly Muslim country has so far been barely affected by Islamic attacks.
Recently, however, the exclusion of the main opposition politician, Ousmane Sonko, who intended to run in the elections for a new head of state on February 25 next year, caused a stir. The populist challenger had probably already won millions of followers with a no less anti-French attitude, but was removed from the voter rolls in the summer after a prison sentence in an abuse case.
The 49-year-old now cannot vote or be elected. He has been in custody since the end of July due to several complaints, during which he was hospitalized due to a hunger strike that has now ended. His party PASTEF (“Patriotic Africans of Senegal for Work, Ethics and Fraternity”) was dissolved by the government because it had repeatedly called for violent protests.
Sonko was accused of rape and threatening to kill him with a weapon in February 2021 by the employee of a beauty salon he frequented. However, Sonko suspected that there was a conspiracy hatched by President Macky Sall to expel him from the fight for the 2024 presidential elections.
His arrest and the various court rulings against him since then – including his sentencing in absentia to two years in prison for “seducing young people” – triggered large-scale demonstrations and bloody clashes between his supporters and the police.
At least 18 people were killed in the riots, several of them by gunshots of unknown origin. According to various reports, there were hundreds to thousands of arrests. The government temporarily blocked mobile internet and sent the army to calm the situation.
Sall, who has been in office since 2012, said after the violent protests that he would not seek a controversial third term, ending years of speculation over whether he would run again in February 2024 despite a two-term limit of five years spent under his tenure. command. .
The president, who celebrates his 62nd birthday on Monday, dissolved the government in early October, just months before elections in the West African country. Only Prime Minister Amadou Ba, who was also named Sall's designated successor as the coalition government's presidential candidate, will initially remain in office. Ba also appointed a new cabinet.
Sall said Prime Minister Ba was a candidate who could unite the party, the coalition and the country. Ba, 62, had previously served, among other things, as Minister of Economy and Foreign Affairs. The approximately 17 million inhabitants of Senegal will elect a new head of state on February 25th. Dozens of potential candidates are currently recruiting the necessary number of supporters to be approved by electoral authorities.
According to the Chamber of Commerce (WKÖ), Senegal is currently one of the “most promising and dynamic markets in West Africa” and will continue to be one of the fastest growing economies in the future. Above all, the oil and gas production originally planned for 2021 will give the economy a significant boost to growth and stabilize the state budget.
According to WKÖ, the focus of Senegal's economic policy is on expanding the country's industrialization process. The government specifically depends on foreign support.
Bilateral economic relations have been “relatively weak” for years, according to WKÖ. However, the positive economic climate guarantees growing business opportunities and leads to more deliveries from Austria. This evolution is mainly due to the export of cotton and textiles, which represents 81 percent of deliveries to Senegal. Conclusion from WKÖ: “Many of the colorful fabrics and dresses made from high-quality damask come from Vorarlberg and are very popular throughout West Africa.”
Trade issues will also play an important role with South Africa, an important economic partner, where Schallenberg will be invited from Wednesday evening. One third of Austria's exports to Africa go to the Cape country. As part of the trip, the “South Africa-Austria Business Forum” will take place in Pretoria on Thursday. Furthermore, the first Austrian Cultural Forum in Sub-Saharan Africa will be opened. At government level, Schallenberg will meet, among others, with Foreign Minister Pandor and Economy Minister Patel, as well as Sydney Mufamadi, the national security advisor.