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The emphasis on ‘national sovereignty’ at Dakar Forum

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The 8th International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa, which started in the capital of Senegal, Dakar on Monday, has come to an end. An emphasis was made that the African Continent should ensure its own security, during the speeches.

During the two-day Forum, participants mainly focused on the Africa’s security challenges. The event was attended by more than one thousand ministers, security experts, military personnel and representatives from various international organizations.

Participants included heads of states from the African countries, as well as many top officials from countries such as Turkiye, India, Japan, Saudi Arabia and France.

The Dakar Forum took place during an environment in which France was forced to withdraw all its military forces from Mali and the criticisms regarding the United Nations (UN) missions and increasing presence of the Western powers in the region.

The UN peacekeeping operations fail in the fight against terrorism

In the Forum themed “Africa in the Face of Exogenous Shock: Challenges of Stability and Sovereignty”, the opening speech was delivered by the President of Senegal Macky Sall and current president of the African Union.

Sall said that he hoped this event could help Africa’s goal of securing a permanent seat at the G20 organization and the UN Security Council.

Stating that Africa is currently facing many crises related to terrorism, internal conflicts, climate change and healthcare, Sall pointed out that the issue of terrorism over the continent is not just a problem belonging to only Africa.

Underlining that the UN Peacekeeping Operations have not been much successful in preventing the prevail of terrorism on the continent, Sall said that anti-terrorism doctrines needed to be revised.

Sall also pointed out the High-Level Advisory Board on Effective Multilateralism established by the UN Secretary-General, and said “For it to be trusted and accepted, multilateralism must serve the interests of all nations”.

Africa must hold a seat at the UN Security Council

Speaking about the Forum’s missions, the African Union’s Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security, Bineta Diop stated: “We agree that Africa needs to position itself, as a superpower, be present at the UN Security Council and, have the right to veto if necessary. This is crucial, especially in terms of multilateralism”.

An African solidarity is needed before external solidarity

The Expert on Defense and Security of the G5 Sahel organization, General Mohamed Znagui Ould Sid’Ahmed Ely stated at his speech: “Africa must strive for its own security first. There must be an African solidarity, before an external solidarity. Secondly, we should focus on the education of the African people, which are the true riches of Africa. We have to pay more attention to young people”.

Resolutions are being discussed to end the foreign aid

Africanews correspondent Pascale-Mahé Keingna reported the following about the Dakar Forum: “Participants will attend the seminar for two days, in order to discuss how the foreign events from outside the continent affect the security of the African nations. And the purpose in these meetings are to seek better solutions that would ensure the Continent no longer relies on foreign aid for military issued, or in food shortages, to keep its own national independence”.

‘We must strengthen our security by our own means’

The discussions at the forum were mainly centered around the physical safety of civilians in African countries.

The former Chadian Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation and High Representative of the Coalition for Sahel Djimé Adoum stressed that the continent should strengthen its defense and security capacities by its own means:

“We do not need a foreign military to come and do this job for us, we do have enough military personnel, but we need three basic things; logistical support, intelligence and training; because it is an asymmetrical warfare and we need more people that can adapt to the newer tactics of terrorism”.

Cavusoglu: We are against neo-colonialism

The Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu had also attended the Forum, which was held at the Abdou Diouf International Conference Center (CICAD), which is a project actually built by a Turkish company.

Speaking at the Forum Session on Global Crises and Sovereignty in Africa, Cavusoglu stated that neo-colonialism has severed the sovereignty and the stability of Africa, a continent which is already facing various problems such as terrorism, military coups and economic crises.

Stating that they were against colonialism throughout the history, and still are against the 21st century neo-colonialism, Cavusoglu said, “We believe that Africa should take its own destiny, into its own hands.”

Reiterating that modern Turkiye is still against neo-colonialism, Cavusoglu emphasized that they see the African nations as equal partners, and advocate win-win principles in their relations.

FM Cavusoglu also held bilateral meetings with the African leaders.

Cooperation with the Antalya Diplomacy Forum

In addition, Cavusoglu and his Senegalese counterpart Aïssata Tall Sall have signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the times when Antalya Diplomatic Forum and the Dakar Forum took place, on content partnership and cooperation.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Cavusoglu stated “We all know that the world is going through a very rough and an interesting process. Therefore, we need new visions and policies for a just world, and for peace and stability especially in Africa”.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Senegalese Foreign Minister Tall Sall stressed that this memorandum of understanding is very critical in making it possible for these two forums to take place in harmony with each other. Tall Sall stated that the Antalya Diplomacy Forum would be an example for them, and that they will try to find solutions to the problems that concern the entire international community, and especially Senegal.

The detection of the problems and possible resolutions concerning the African continent are being discussed at the Dakar Forum, which is held annually since 2014.

A cooperation with Asia comes forth, while the West is being turned down

While anti-Western and especially anti-French sentiments have been growing recently in Africa, both by the governments and among the general public itself, an emphasis is being put on independence and national sovereignty. While French-backed governments were being toppled in the region, protests against French military convoys have resulted in withdrawal of French troops from Mali, where they had been deployed since 2014.

The legitimacy of the French military presence, which is also a former colonial power in the Sahel region, with around 5100 troops in the region under the pretext of fighting against the terrorism, is now being questioned.

In addition, the failure of the UN Peacekeeping Force in the region against terrorism and the ineffectiveness of its operations have been frequently brought up in the recent time periods. The African leaders aim to develop better solutions based on their own military power to ensure the security of the continent.

While the West is being pushed away from Africa, cooperations between Russia, Turkiye and China comes forth in many areas, and especially in the field of security. And now the African leaders have these cooperation networks to not turn into a neo-colonial relationship, and that a win-win policy is being followed respecting their national sovereignty in bilateral relations, on their political agendas.

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Diplomacy

Greece’s Marinakis says paying Hormuz transit fees beats enduring Red Sea shipping crisis detour

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03/06/2026

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Evangelos Marinakis, one of Greece’s leading shipowners, has announced that he is prepared to pay up to $200,000 per transit to keep the Strait of Hormuz open to civilian maritime traffic.

Speaking to the Financial Times, Marinakis stated that paying a transit fee would be a far better option for him than having the strait closed to navigation.

As the chairman of Capital Maritime Group, which controls a fleet of 185 vessels including approximately 35 tankers, Marinakis emphasized that shipowners have been forced to use alternative routes around the Cape of Good Hope for years due to attacks launched by the Houthis in the Red Sea, a detour that has generated substantial additional costs.

The Greek shipowner indicated that paying a transit fee of $100,000 or $200,000, depending on the size of the cargo or the vessel, is far more reasonable than enduring the current logistical challenges. He added that such payments could offset all the losses experienced so far.

Following US strikes on Iran and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, the Tehran administration had introduced transit fees of up to $2 million for certain vessels transiting the waterway.

In May, Iran announced the establishment of a state agency tasked with managing the Strait of Hormuz. It was stated that the institution in question would provide real-time updates regarding maritime activities in the waterway.

Ebrahim Azizi, the chairman of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, had noted that only commercial vessels and countries cooperating with Iran would be able to benefit from the facilities provided under this “professional mechanism.”

US President Donald Trump has explicitly opposed the imposition of transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz. In a statement on the matter, Trump said, “We want the strait to be open. We do not want any transit fees to be charged. This is an international waterway.”

On the other hand, the draft text of a planned 60-day ceasefire extension agreement between the parties stipulates that the Strait of Hormuz will remain open without any transit fees being demanded.

According to the draft details reviewed by Axios, the US in return commits to lifting the blockade it has imposed on Iranian ports. The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, however, announced that the management of the Strait of Hormuz has been excluded from the scope of the agreement with the US, asserting that the issue will be addressed solely by littoral states.

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Diplomacy

Pashinyan promises aid to farmers hit by Russian import restrictions

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2 days ago

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02/06/2026

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Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has pledged compensation for Armenian farmers affected by restrictions on exports to Russia.

According to Sputnik Armenia, Pashinyan made the announcement during an election campaign meeting in the Gegharkunik region.

Speaking at the event, Pashinyan said the subsidies would be designed to offset losses incurred by producers.

The prime minister also acknowledged that some Armenian products had failed to meet required quality standards, adding that such companies would receive support aimed at improving product quality.

Addressing alternative markets for Armenian exports, Pashinyan said several Armenian business delegations were already engaged in negotiations abroad.

He added that Armenia had received offers for the purchase of roses as well as fresh fruits and vegetables.

Pashinyan argued that Armenia’s agricultural output was not particularly large, describing this as an advantage under current circumstances. According to the prime minister, “a respected supermarket chain in Europe” would be capable of selling the entire volume of these products on its own.

Russia’s Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) imposed temporary restrictions on imports of stone fruits and grapes from Armenia effective July 2.

The ban covers cherries, sour cherries, apricots, plums, peaches and nectarines, among other products.

On the same day, a temporary suspension was also introduced on certification procedures for live fish shipments from Armenia. Russian authorities had previously restricted the entry of flower products originating from Armenia into the Russian market.

In addition, Russia’s Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing (Rospotrebnadzor) halted the import of all consignments of Jermuk mineral water from Armenia.

In a statement, the agency said levels of bicarbonate, chloride and sulfate ions in the mineral water exceeded established limits and could mislead consumers regarding the product’s medicinal properties.

The Russian regulator argued that the growing number of violations stemmed from the abolition of Armenia’s Agriculture Ministry and the transfer of its responsibilities to the Economy Ministry.

Rosselkhoznadzor further stated that Armenia’s Economy Ministry was experiencing structural problems and was unable to adequately perform the supervisory functions assigned to it.

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Diplomacy

Zelenskyy urges US to grant Ukraine license to produce Patriot missiles

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3 days ago

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01/06/2026

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he has asked the United States to grant Ukraine a license to manufacture missiles for the Patriot air defence system.

In a post on social media platform X, Zelenskyy argued that current US production of missile defence interceptors is insufficient and could contribute to crises in different parts of the world.

“Producing 60-65 missiles a month is nothing compared with the challenges we face today. This is no secret, and Russia knows it as well,” Zelenskyy wrote. “We need to expand production. As I requested from the previous US administration, I am asking the current administration to grant Ukraine a license to produce Patriot missiles.”

Zelenskyy said US companies possess advanced technologies that are not available in Ukraine, while Kyiv could contribute its extensive battlefield experience in return.

He also argued that granting such a license would benefit not only Ukraine, but also the Middle East and any country Washington chooses to support.

Washington pledges to maintain defence support

Zelenskyy’s remarks came a day after US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on May 30 that Washington would continue supporting Ukraine’s defence capabilities and ensure military shipments to Kyiv continue.

“We want them to be able to defend themselves, and we will find a way to help them do that,” Hegseth said.

Several days earlier, Yuriy Ihnat, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force, warned that the country’s air defence forces were experiencing a shortage of missiles.

“Due to certain supply problems, we are practically at starvation levels when it comes to missiles today,” Ihnat said.

Concerns persist over air defence missile stocks

In April, Zelenskyy warned that Ukraine’s stockpile of air defence missiles could be exhausted at any moment.

He said that under current conditions, air defence missiles were more critical for Ukraine than the air defence systems themselves.

Highlighting what he described as a critical shortage of Patriot missiles, Zelenskyy said: “We are facing a deficit now that could hardly be worse.”

Concerns that Ukraine could face a severe shortage of US-made air defence missiles had previously been reported by Reuters.

The situation was expected to worsen as the United States and its allies depleted significant portions of their arsenals during tensions with Iran, a point Zelenskyy also underscored.

In a separate statement in January, Zelenskyy said Ukraine lacked sufficient missiles for both US- and European-made air defence systems.

The Ukrainian leader said he had been forced to personally secure every package of missiles from European countries and the United States.

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