VISITE DU PRÉSIDENT DIOMAYE FAYE AUX ÉTATS-UNIS : UN ACCUEIL TRIOMPHANT ET SEREIN SE PRÉPARE (Par Chouaib Coulibaly)
New York – United States. As the visit of the President of the Republic, His Excellency Bassirou Diomaye Faye, to the United States approaches, I wish, in my capacity as President of the Strategy and Foresight Studies Commission and member of the Executive Committee of KIIRAYE Diaspora, to send a message of confidence, serenity, and responsibility to all our compatriots residing in the United States. I am convinced that the Senegalese diaspora will give the Head of State a warm, enthusiastic, and popular welcome, befitting the dignity of the Republic and the importance of this visit.
The President of the Republic's presence in the United States goes far beyond a simple official visit. It represents a significant event for our country and a unique opportunity to present to our American partners, the international community, and the public the image of a democratic, responsible, stable Senegal, resolutely committed to its economic and social transformation. It also offers the chance to highlight the strategic role of the diaspora in promoting Senegal's international standing and strengthening relations between our country and the United States.
In a political environment where different sensitivities, opinions, and assessments can legitimately be expressed, it is important to prioritize responsibility and composure. A plurality of opinions is inherent to democracy, and everyone must be able to freely express their convictions. However, when the President of the Republic travels abroad, the image and dignity of the entire nation are also at stake. Political differences must therefore never cause us to lose sight of what unites us: our belonging to the same nation, our shared history, and our collective responsibility for the image of Senegal.
It is in this spirit that I wish to reassure President Bassirou Diomaye Faye: he can travel to the United States with serenity and confidence. The Senegalese diaspora possesses the necessary maturity to foster democratic pluralism while respecting the institutions of the Republic. Political debate is legitimate; criticism is inherent to any democracy; but no disagreement should lead to behavior that could undermine the dignity of our country or divert attention from the essential purpose of this visit.
I am convinced that Senegalese men and women in the United States will ensure that the national interest prevails. Our collective responsibility is to transform this visit into a moment of unity, pride, and prestige for Senegal.
In this context, the idea of a "triumphant welcome" should in no way be interpreted as a sign of exclusion or an invitation to political confrontation. On the contrary, it should reflect a popular, peaceful, and enthusiastic mobilization of the diaspora, eager to demonstrate to the Head of State its attachment to Senegal and its respect for the presidential office.
This is not about welcoming one side against another, but about welcoming the President of the Republic. We can have different political opinions, defend different approaches, and even express disagreements, while remaining united by our belonging to the same nation. It is precisely this ability to combine pluralism and fraternity that demonstrates the maturity of a democracy.
The United States offers a particularly significant framework in this regard. The Senegalese community residing there is dynamic, enterprising, and deeply involved in the economic, academic, scientific, medical, technological, cultural, and community sectors. It constitutes a genuine human, economic, and institutional bridge between Senegal and the United States. Its skills, international experience, networks, and capacity for initiative represent considerable resources for our country.
The presidential visit should therefore be seized as an opportunity to strengthen these links, to further value the contribution of the diaspora to national development and to encourage new forms of cooperation between Senegalese abroad, Senegalese institutions and their American partners.
The diaspora should not be considered solely as a community living outside the national territory. It constitutes an essential component of the Senegalese nation, bringing skills, expertise, initiatives, and networks capable of contributing to the country's transformation. Its role is not limited to financial support for Senegal; it also lies in its capacity to mobilize knowledge, innovation, partnerships, and international opportunities in service of the national interest.
This is why I call upon all members of the diaspora, regardless of their political leanings, to place the image, dignity, and best interests of the Republic above partisan considerations. Senegal is a democracy, and public debate must remain free and open. But freedom of expression goes hand in hand with responsibility, especially when our actions and words are likely to be perceived beyond our borders.
The success of this visit will therefore not be measured solely by official meetings or expected diplomatic outcomes. It will also be measured by our collective ability to demonstrate that the Senegalese diaspora can combine political diversity, civic responsibility, and attachment to the Nation.
Our message to the President of the Republic is clear in this regard: Mr. President, come to the United States with serenity and confidence. The Senegalese diaspora awaits you and will, I am convinced, give you a warm, enthusiastic, and deeply republican welcome.
This is not about denying the differences that may exist within our society. It is about demonstrating that they cannot prevent us from preserving what we have in common. Senegal is our collective heritage, its dignity is a commitment to us all, and its influence is a shared responsibility.
As the head of KIIRAYE Diaspora, I believe it is our duty to contribute to this positive momentum and promote a mobilization based on responsibility, composure, and a sense of national interest. We must be able to rise above circumstantial disputes to make this visit an opportunity to showcase to the United States and the world a mature, responsible, organized Senegalese diaspora deeply attached to its country.
Mr. President, come to the United States with confidence. The diaspora awaits you. They will welcome you warmly and enthusiastically, with respect for the Republic and the dignity of Senegal.
Chouaib Coulibaly “Jacob”
Chairman of the Strategy and Foresight Studies Commission
Member of COMEX – KIIRAYE Diaspora
Commentaires (17)
Merci jacob
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