At the opening of the 2026 edition of the Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa, the President of the Republic of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, delivered a vibrant plea for a collective and endogenous approach to the security challenges that are shaking the continent, and more particularly the Sahelian zone.

The Dakar Forum, opened this morning in the presence of Mauritanians and Sierra Leoneans, is held in a particular context marked by the withdrawal of French forces from the Sahel countries, the creation of AES and the progress of the jihadist in the Gulf of Guinea. The Head of State, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, took advantage of the presence of the High Security Authorities of the continent to make a plea and recalled that the challenges are common.

From the outset, the Senegalese head of state has hammered a geographical and human truth: the borders, although drawn, are not watertight barriers in the face of terrorist dangers. « There can be no security danger in Mali which does not concern Senegal, or in Mauritania which does not concern Mali. »he said, recalling the ties of blood, history and alliances that unite cross-border populations.

For President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, any purely national response is doomed to failure. The effectiveness of the fight against terrorism is based on the refusal of any « Sanctuary » This requires unwavering coordination among neighbouring countries.

Involve people: an important lever

One of the strengths of his intervention was the call for « awareness-raising » population. For Bassirou Diomaye Faye, institutional and military mechanisms are necessary but insufficient. Citizens must become « full-fledged actors » of their own security, capable of identifying threats and anticipating the devastating actions of extremist groups: « People need to be made aware so that they can see themselves as full actors in what should identify the threat. » Has he recalled

As concrete solutions, the Head of State stressed the need to generalize and sustain joint patrols and intelligence exchanges. It calls for operational synergy between the various defence and security forces in the region to halt the jihadist peril.

While the challenges remain colossal, Dakar's message is clear: Africa must take over its security destiny through unity, collective intelligence and increased citizen vigilance.