“A few months ago, the world heard the strong democratic beat of Senegal’s heart. The majority of voters placed their hopes for the future in the opposition and transported their candidate from political imprisonment to the helm of the country. Important elections are also due to take place next year in Côte d’Ivoire. From there, too, a message of hope could be sent out: that democracy and good governance can secure growth, economic stability and peace in the long term.

The close ties that already bind us with Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire show that peaceful, democratic change can open up new perspectives for greater cooperation in all spheres in a region where military coups have destroyed such prospects for the foreseeable future elsewhere. During my trip I will therefore be focusing on the entire spectrum of our relations – political, economic and cultural. To this end we are pursuing projects that benefit people on both sides in the here and now and help them to jointly tackle the challenges of the future. The construction of the first electric rapid transit bus system in Dakar is one concrete example: with German know-how and our European Global Gateway initiative we are supporting Senegal as it drives forward its green transition and are helping the local people to benefit in their everyday lives.

The contrast with the current situation in the Sahel region is evident and illustrates how quickly stability can turn into fragility. The people in Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire and other coastal neighbours of the Sahel live with the constant threat that terrorism and violence from the neighbouring countries could eat into their societies. As a mediator, Senegal is assuming crucial responsibility for the region. We stand firmly alongside it in this task, for if more countries in West Africa lurch into instability, it will not only have dramatic consequences for the people on the ground but also have a direct impact on our security in Europe.