Sénégal-France : « Quel que soit le vainqueur, c'est l'Afrique qui aura battu l'Afrique », selon Ousmane Sonko
On the eve of the highly anticipated clash between Senegal and France for their opening match in the 2026 World Cup, former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko offered an analysis that goes far beyond the purely sporting realm. Interviewed this Monday, June 15th, by France 24 and RFI, the political leader, while expressing his hope that the Lions would repeat their historic feat of 2002, called for a geopolitical interpretation of this confrontation. According to him, the very composition of the French team illustrates the continent's potential and should prompt Africans to a profound realization of their own worth in the face of the West.
The memory of the opening match of the 2002 World Cup, where Senegal defeated defending champions France, looms large over the rematch scheduled for Tuesday, June 16th at 7 pm. Asked for his prediction, Ousmane Sonko made no secret of his support: "I think Senegal will win. I certainly hope so, like all Senegalese people. In any case, it's just a football match."
However, for the President of the National Assembly, this football match reflects contemporary historical and demographic trends. Referring to the strong presence of players of African origin within the French national team, he offered a frank assessment: "But to interpret this match politically, regardless of the winner, it is Africa that will have beaten Africa."
For Ousmane Sonko, this sporting event should serve as a catalyst for a comprehensive rethinking of the complex relationships between France, the West, and the African continent. According to him, it highlights a cognitive reversal of dependence and the real needs between the two blocs.
Speaking directly to his fellow citizens and the continent, he hammered home his message of sovereignty and self-confidence: “And that brings me back to a reflection on the relationship between France and Africa. Just looking at the makeup of the French national team helps us understand where the real need lies. And the message I always give to Africans is that if we know our worth and embrace it—we have natural resources, we have human resources with a rapidly growing population and a predominantly young demographic, and we have the right position—well, I think the scale of our needs isn't where we think it is.”
In concluding his remarks to international media on Monday, he stressed that this analytical framework inevitably brings back to the forefront the major issues of friction and international cooperation: "And it will bring back the debate on immigration, it will bring back the debate on a whole host of problems that can exist between the West in general and Africa."
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