“Ndank Ndank vers un avenir commun: Mon engagement pour le Sénégal” (Par Carine Roberts, Ambassadrice du Royaume Uni au Sénégal)
“ Ku yagg ci teen bag fekk la fa ” – My first visit to Senegal in 2020 made me want to live there. This family trip to Dakar, the Sine Saloum, and Casamance made me fall under the spell of the country, its traditions, the diversity of its people, the energy of its youth, and above all, Teranga, this serene and warm hospitality. Since then, I have kept a close eye on Senegal – and it is with immense joy that I begin my mission as an ambassador for the United Kingdom. I have ventured into Wolof, with varying degrees of success! My favorite expression: “Ndank ndank mooy japp golo ci ñaay.”
My career reflects a lifelong passion for Africa: studies in African governance, five years as Director for Development in the Sahel at the British Foreign Office, three years as Deputy Head of Cooperation in Ghana, and seven years in the Democratic Republic of Congo. I learned that respect, listening, and partnership are the key ingredients of sustainable diplomacy. Seven years at PricewaterhouseCoopers showed me the power of public-private collaborations. Like many women, I have successfully juggled a career with being a mother of four, who have been my greatest adventure.
I am inspired by the strength of the ties that bind our two cultures, woven by a vibrant diaspora (now numbering in the thousands), great artists, and our unparalleled passion for football. Since my arrival, I have met the great Cheikh Lo and discovered that his record label is in London. My friend Seckou Keita, meanwhile, is collaborating extensively with British artists. In London, I had the chance to see Youssou Ndour in concert and enjoy a delicious Thieboudienne at Le Petit Baobab restaurant. Not to mention Nottingham, where I went in June to watch the historic 3-1 victory of Senegal against England's Three Lions – yet another powerful symbol we share!
Our diplomatic relations are long-standing – the United Kingdom appointed its first vice-consul in April 1872; my official residence dates from 1908; and the embassy has existed since Senegal's independence in 1960. Today, Sir Keir Starmer, our Prime Minister, is fully committed to a renewed approach with African countries, based on listening and respect. This is precisely the spirit in which I wish to work.
I see a rapidly developing bilateral relationship. In just two months since my arrival, we have hosted the UK Minister for Africa, a parliamentary delegation, and over 30 British companies for Invest in Senegal . What Senegal is asking for is British investment and expertise in specific areas. I intend to respond to this call with enthusiasm and ambition, working to deliver on three shared priorities:
First, shared prosperity . This week in Lomé, we are launching the first African edition of our WCAF Trade and Investment Forum with Francophone West and Central Africa. This comes as our trade has reached record levels – £1.1 billion (818 billion CFA francs), five times more than in 2020. Traditional barriers related to the English language (which is rapidly expanding in Senegal) or trade are fading. Thanks to our Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), Senegalese products benefit from duty-free and quota-free access to the UK market. The UK is also a committed, long-term investor, particularly in the energy sector (especially renewables), infrastructure (such as the Port of Ndayane and the Bus Rapid Transit), agriculture, telecommunications, and mining. The port of Ndayane alone could increase Senegal's GDP by 3% by 2035 and create up to 22,000 jobs. Our Manufacturing Africa program also supports the Senegalese private sector to attract more investment and strengthen local value chains.
Secondly, mutual security . We collaborate with Senegal on organized crime, illegal fishing, and drug trafficking. We share the commonality of being maritime nations. Our navies, which are a source of national pride for both our countries, work closely together. We also train Senegalese special forces, while promoting English language learning and exchanges between military academies. In December 2023, we signed our first defense cooperation treaty, a significant milestone in our partnership.
Third, sustainable development . We are moving from a traditional aid approach to mutually beneficial partnerships, based on the exchange of expertise and responsive to the needs of our host countries. Two examples: First, a new four-year, £10 million (7.5 billion CFA francs) program with the Pasteur Institute in Dakar. This will contribute to global health security by strengthening epidemic surveillance and developing more effective diagnostics and vaccines for everyone. Second, the Blue Planet Fund, which contributes to the fight against illegal fishing and the strengthening of marine governance. This program has awarded ten Master's scholarships in marine science and provided laboratory equipment for the study of microplastics.
In these first few weeks, I have been able to observe Senegal's strengths: a dynamic youth, solid democratic institutions, and a resilient economy. During my term, I wish to meet with Senegalese people in all their diversity – young entrepreneurs, artists, researchers, political leaders, community members – to listen, learn, and build together.
In 1961, President Senghor wrote: “Culture is at the beginning and the end of development.” These words still resonate today. For it is by valuing our cultures, our talents, and our shared humanity that we will strengthen our partnership. Senegal and the United Kingdom have a long history of friendship. Together, let us write its next chapter.
Carine Roberts,
Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Senegal
and in Guinea-Bissau
Commentaires (25)
Dalal ak Jam Excellence
Diomaye rencontré discrètement en France, aux usa et en côte d’ivoire. Diomaye travaille pour la France .C'est la franc maçonnerie qui est derrière Diomaye qui cherche a gagner du temps comme Macky en 2021 et revenir en force
Diomaye doit démissionner. Vivement, une pétition dans ce sens
Bonne continuation Mme l'ambassadrice
Les français ont donné à Diomaye , une seule et unique mission c’est de créer une scission au sein du PASTEF pour affaiblir SONKO .En fait Sonko ne pouvait ignorer que Dimaye le lâche a rencontré plusieurs fois Macky.
Khawma loutakh nguèèn meuneu fèn! Mais vous avez de qui tenir.
Dalal ak Jam Excellence
Collier bi boko taqué sopé kou Diomaye sopékouna pékhé amatoul
Sonko doit se retirer complètement du pouvoir laisser Dio dérouler à sa guise
Surtout pas de fitna qu' ils nous fiche la paix
Bienvenue chez Vous, Excellence.
Pleins succès dans vos missions avec le soutien total du Tout-Puissant.
sérère moy Encore léfrancé ? bois de l'eau ...
Welcome son Excellence au pays de la Teranga. Un peuple accueillant.
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Vraiment on sent chez cette diplomate, un engagement pour une coopération rénovée. Pas le genre à arriver en Afrique et à regarder tout le monde de haut avec la conviction d'avoir tout compris à l'Afrique. Bonne continuation Mme. Bienvenue au Sénégal et j'aime bcp votre que j'ai souvent visité parce que ma fille a fait son master au Impérial collège de Londres
Nous n aimons pas les otaniens.
Tous les pays impérialistes alliés aux USA ou membres de l OTAN,nous les détestons.
C est vous qui foutez le bordel en Afrique depuis des siècles,avec des victimes innocentes et des déstabilisations de nos États.
Allez au Diable ,rxcellence
Les britanniques n'ont pas la même mentalité que néolonialistes. Arrêtez de dire n'importe quoi. Cette dame, contrairement à bien d'autres, a fait l'effort de s'intégrer à la culture sénégalaise. Reconnaissez lui ça au moins.
Ces colons prédateurs génocidaires.
De vrais crapules,les impérialistes occidentaux,sionistes
Madame l'ambassadrice, dalal ak jamm, vous venez d'un pays plus ouvert et plus respectueux: par contre la france que nous connaissons continue de déstabiliser les pays africains parce que sans ces pays la france n'est RIEN, l'angleterre a dépassé ce stade. l'angleterre a de hauts responsables étatiques d'origine étrangère et cela ne dérange personne alors qu'en france un simple ministre d'origine africaine qui est nommé a tous les problèmes du monde pour exercer une fonction qui souvent ne dure que quelques années. Qui peut imaginer en france un maire musulman? etc etc
dalal ak jamm, les gens ne demandent pas à être aimés, il faut les respecter, comme on dit en anglais: do unto others as ...
Comme avec maky, je ne veux plus voir ce type même en photo
Je ne regarde plus la RTS
Anti colonialiste...Nous n aimons pas les otaniens................golo, erdogan est mort de rire !!
Bienvenue son Excellence, ravi de vous lire et de partager votre enthousiasme.
Merci Mme Robarts,
On sent votre sincère engagement pour l’Afrique pendant ce temps bcp d’ Africains détestent l’Afrique qui est le berceau de l’humanité et sera la dernière niche
Les colons ont certes semé les graines de la division mais nous les Africains sommes à l’heure actuelle les responsables de ce qui nous arrive. So let’s stop complaining and get back to work. .
Cher Président, on est de tout coeur avec vous! Dokhalal!
Loves it
Rafetna! Yekcil Ak Diam, Welcome to Sunugal! T'est chez toi puisse que tu te sens bien.
La mission continue. Du bla bla. Arrêtez de faire confiance facilement. Le visage d’aujourd’hui est juste plus maquillé avec des conneries de partenariat pour miner et contrôler mais reste pareille que celui d’hier: domination et soumission. Voyez tous ces institutions comme le FMI , leur capacité à mettre à genoux une économie, un pays.
Diomaye n'est pas un vrai serere
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