Dakar (Western Africa)
The Foundation for Freedom has had a presence in Dakar, Senegal since 1980. From here it manages most of the West- African Subregion. Senegal has experienced several peaceful transitions of power since achieving independence in 1960. It is considered the most stable country in West Africa. The Foundation focuses its work in Senegal and in the region on the rule of law, the market economy and respect for human rights. It supports liberal political partners and selected future political leaders. It actively identifies and promotes organisations and individuals willing to take responsibility and contribute to development.
News
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Cooperation, but not at any price
Berlin and West Africa are engaged in lively diplomatic exchanges. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is traveling to Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire, while the German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Svenja Schulze, will host 18 Sahel Alliance members in Berlin. Germany is extending diplomatic efforts while withdrawing militarily; last week, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced the unexpected withdrawal of the remaining German troop contingent from Niger.
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ECOWAS, AES and the German troop withdrawal
Temperatures are rising in the Sahel. The climatic temperatures anyway, which have been causing unbearable heat and countless deaths for months. And there is a heated atmosphere between the countries in the Sahel region. The military coups of the last four years in six West African countries have led internally to divided societies, regionally to changed alliance constellations and internationally to a turning away from the West, especially France, and an increased dependence on "new" partners such as Russia, China and others.
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Westafrica and the EU elections
As the fog lifts after the European Union elections, the echo of uncertainty is quietly echoing beyond Europe's borders to the coasts of West Africa. From Dakar to Abidjan, the EU elections and their results have had little to no impact on the general population. What would have been the talk of the town 10 years ago - the huge gains made by right-wing forces and the resulting government crises in France, for example - seems secondary. At most, in informed circles, one senses a sense of uncertainty, mixed with admiration for the ideals that the European Union has long embodied.
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Russian advance in Africa?
Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso want to leave the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The West African economic community has "deviated from the ideals of its founding fathers and the spirit of Pan-Africanism," according to a joint statement from the three states governed by military juntas. Alexandra Heldt, Project Director for the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom in West Africa, explains what the withdrawal means for the region and for Europe.
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Mali – what now? Impressions and Estimation
A trip to the legendary country of Mali is causing frowns and worried looks. As the first of the coup-belt countries Mali has a bad reputation to defend and Western countries have difficulties in positioning themselves vis-à-vis this country ruled by a military junta. The withdrawal of the Western military presence (MINUSMA and French troops, followed more recently by German troops) from the country briefly led to plans in Berlin to replace Mali
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Le Coup d’Etat au Niger enclenchera-t’il le basculement géostratégique du Sahel ?
Le 26 Juillet 2023, le Président nigérien, Mohamed Bazoum, a été renversé par des putschistes que dirige le Général Abdourahmane Tchiani, plongeant le Sahel dans une crise régionale multidimensionnelle.
L'arrivée d'une autre junte militaire menace d'aggraver l'instabilité, notamment institutionnelle, d'une région déjà en proie à l'insécurité, au djihadisme, au terrorisme et à l’extrémisme violent.
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Les jeunes entrepreneurs entre défis et opportunités au Sénégal
L’entrepreneuriat a amorcé un virage plein d’espoir au Sénégal. Il est en plein essor depuis quelques années. Les jeunes porteurs de projets novateurs ne se comptent plus, dans des écoles, des instituts d’enseignement supérieur, dans le public comme dans le privé. En dehors du système éducatif, des jeunes s’ingénient dans le secteur des innovations. Le fait, le plus marquant, c’est qu’il est en vogue surtout chez les jeunes.