Senegal Suspends Extraditions to France Amid Cooperation Dispute. Dakar, Senegal — Senegal has announced the suspension of all extraditions to France, citing Paris’s refusal to cooperate in extradition requests.
The decision was made public by Senegalese Justice Minister Yassine Fall during a parliamentary address on Thursday.
According to Fall, Senegal has been seeking the extradition of two Senegalese nationals held in France without success.
In response, Senegal will withhold the extradition of 12 individuals wanted by France until it receives a favorable response from Paris to its own extradition requests. “If these people are guilty of crimes, we arrest them.
We do not do as France does.
We do not let them remain free, “Fall stated.
The government’s decision follows a recent case involving Madiambal Diagne, a Senegalese media mogul and government critic. French courts postponed a ruling on whether to return Diagne, who is facing a Senegalese arrest warrant over alleged financial irregularities. French courts requested additional information to decide on Senegal’s extradition demand, despite Senegal’s claims that all necessary evidence has been provided.
Diagne’s lawyers have accused Dakar’s move of amounting to “diplomatic blackmail.”
The incident highlights ongoing tensions between the two countries, which had signed an extradition agreement in 2021.
The Senegalese government has not yet commented on the potential implications of the suspension for bilateral relations.
However, the move is likely to strain diplomatic ties between Senegal and France. Further details are expected as the situation develops.
