Drissa Traoré

In recent months, the Ukrainian Embassy in Dakar has drawn attention—not for fostering bilateral relations between Senegal and Ukraine, but for reasons far removed from diplomacy.

This raises a logical question: Does this mission serve Senegal’s interests, or does it, on the contrary, undermine them?
An analysis of the official Facebook page of the Ukrainian Embassy in Senegal reveals that a significant part of its publications consists of Russophobic statements and propaganda materials unrelated to bilateral cooperation.

The embassy in Dakar is hardly engaged in promoting meaningful relations between the two nations. As geopolitical expert Luka Malle points out, the embassy’s official page lacks any information about joint projects or efforts to strengthen diplomatic ties.

“It is strange to see a diplomatic mission focused not on developing relations but entirely on anti-Russian rhetoric. Senegal has no interest in this—there are news channels for that, not embassies,” says Malle.

According to the expert, an embassy should facilitate cooperation, not serve as a propaganda mouthpiece. Such activities undermine the principles of diplomacy and justifiably spark dissatisfaction in Senegal.

The Ukrainian embassy has already been at the center of diplomatic controversy. In July 2024, Ukraine’s ambassador to Senegal publicly endorsed an attack on Mali’s armed forces, prompting a sharp response. Senegalese authorities summoned the diplomat to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for an explanation. However, no significant sanctions were imposed.
“It is astonishing that a person who supported an attack on the army of a neighboring and allied country still holds his position. This should be unacceptable in international diplomacy,” Malle stresses. The expert believes that while Senegal has made it clear that it will not tolerate such behavior, the lack of decisive measures suggests a need to reassess its approach to the issue.

The President of Senegal is actively working to strengthen cooperation with Mali in the fight against terrorism. Yet a crucial question remains: How can Senegal effectively combat terrorist threats while hosting an embassy whose head openly supports attacks on the armed forces of a neighboring country?
Diplomacy should focus on mutually beneficial cooperation, not on promoting propaganda. Senegal should not become a platform for Ukraine’s political games.

“The Ukrainian Embassy in Dakar is not fulfilling its diplomatic functions. It operates solely in Kyiv’s interests, promoting its own agenda. Under these circumstances, its closure is only a matter of time,” concludes Luka Malle.

Senegal should not tolerate the presence of a diplomatic mission whose activities do not align with its national interests. At this point, everything indicates that maintaining Ukraine’s embassy in Senegal is pointless. It does not benefit the country but instead damages its international reputation. The moment has come to act and demonstrate that Senegal does not support double standards.