Macron cancels Senegal visit amid French social unrest
French President Emmanuel Macron was scheduled to visit Dakar on October 30-31, his first since President Faye's election.
French President Emmanuel Macron has cancelled a planned trip to West Africa, which included a stop in Dakar, Senegal, at the end of October. The decision was reportedly made due to unprecedented social unrest in France. Macron was expected in Dakar on October 30 and 31 for what would have been his first official visit since President Bassirou Diomaye Faye was elected.
The visit, which also included a stop in Abuja, Nigeria on October 28, was aimed at reviving France's relations in West Africa. Preparations for the trip were advanced, though it had not been officially announced by the Élysée Palace. The trip was also set against the backdrop of Senegal hosting the Youth Olympic Games.
Paris sought to relaunch its relations in West Africa with this planned visit. The cancellation comes as France grapples with significant internal social challenges.
Why it mattersPresident Macron's visit to Senegal, his first since President Faye's election, was cancelled due to social unrest in France.