Senegal's Faye calls for reform of global governance to amplify Africa's voice
By CGTN
CGTN
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Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye addresses the nation ahead of Senegal's independence day at the presidential palace in Dakar, Senegal, April 3, 2024. (Photo: Reuters via CGTN)

Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has called for sweeping reforms to global governance, urging a system that is more equitable, representative, and responsive to current geopolitical realities.

Speaking at a gathering of Senegal's ambassadors and consuls general in Diamniadio, the president said Africa must claim its "rightful place" in international decision-making, with its priorities fully reflected in global institutions.

Faye reaffirmed support for multilateralism as a cornerstone of international cooperation, but argued it must be "reinvented, renewed, and revitalized" to move beyond frameworks shaped in the aftermath of World War II.

"The world is going through a period of major geopolitical turbulence and unprecedented challenges," he said, pointing to a resurgence of armed conflicts and persistent tensions among nuclear powers. These developments, he warned, raise serious concerns about the effectiveness of existing mechanisms for preventing and managing crises.

He also criticized what he described as the increasing normalization of unilateral uses of force, saying such actions contradict the principles of the United Nations Charter and risk undermining global stability and human dignity.

Faye called for renewed efforts to build a fairer international order centered on peace, security, and respect for human dignity. He also emphasized the need for stronger African integration and greater coordination to amplify the continent's voice on the global stage.

The conference, held from April 18–19 at the Abdou Diouf International Conference Center, is focused on strengthening Senegal's foreign policy and modernizing its diplomatic and consular network.