Sun Apr 4, 2010
Marking 50 years of independence from France, Senegal is taking back control of all military bases held by the former colonial power.
President Abdoulaye Wade made the announcement in a televised national address late on Saturday, following an agreement between Paris and Dakar in February.
"I solemnly declare that from 0000 GMT April 4 Senegal will take back all the (military) bases formerly held by France and intends to exert its sovereignty," declared the president.
Under the pact, most of the 1,200 French military personnel are to leave by the end of this year.
France's three permanent military bases in Africa are located in Senegal, Libreville and Djibouti. The Dakar base in Senegal has continued to host 1,200 French military personnel even after independence in 1960.
Earlier, Senegal inaugurated a controversial 49-meter (160-foot) bronze statue called the Monument of African Renaissance, which some of Wade's critics have condemned as a waste of money.
Meanwhile, thousands of protesters decried the 27-million-dollar cost of the statue, which stands higher than the Statue of Liberty.
On Friday, President Nicolas Sarkozy highlighted in a letter that France was "naturally disposed” to maintain military and political ties with Senegal to ensure regional stability.
Source: PressTV.
Link: http://edition.presstv.ir/detail/122439.html.
Marking 50 years of independence from France, Senegal is taking back control of all military bases held by the former colonial power.
President Abdoulaye Wade made the announcement in a televised national address late on Saturday, following an agreement between Paris and Dakar in February.
"I solemnly declare that from 0000 GMT April 4 Senegal will take back all the (military) bases formerly held by France and intends to exert its sovereignty," declared the president.
Under the pact, most of the 1,200 French military personnel are to leave by the end of this year.
France's three permanent military bases in Africa are located in Senegal, Libreville and Djibouti. The Dakar base in Senegal has continued to host 1,200 French military personnel even after independence in 1960.
Earlier, Senegal inaugurated a controversial 49-meter (160-foot) bronze statue called the Monument of African Renaissance, which some of Wade's critics have condemned as a waste of money.
Meanwhile, thousands of protesters decried the 27-million-dollar cost of the statue, which stands higher than the Statue of Liberty.
On Friday, President Nicolas Sarkozy highlighted in a letter that France was "naturally disposed” to maintain military and political ties with Senegal to ensure regional stability.
Source: PressTV.
Link: http://edition.presstv.ir/detail/122439.html.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.