Ousmane Sonko has sharply criticised Donald Trump, accusing him of destabilising global order amid the ongoing tensions surrounding the US-Israel conflict with Iran.
Speaking at an international conference on sovereignty held in Dakar, Sonko did not hold back in his assessment of Washington’s actions. According to him, the objectives cited by the United States in its confrontation with Iran have not been achieved, yet the consequences have been severe for global stability.
“Reducing Iran’s ballistic capabilities has not been achieved. Forcing Iran to abandon all nuclear programmes, both civil and military, is not an objective that has been achieved,” Sonko stated before an audience of political thinkers, academics, and international observers.
He went further, arguing that despite these unmet goals, the world has been plunged into unnecessary turmoil. In a direct rebuke, Sonko declared: “None of the objectives has been met, and yet the world has been plunged into chaos that nothing can justify. Mr Trump is not a man of peace; he is a man who destabilises the world.”
The conference itself, hosted by Pascal Boniface, focused on global sovereignty and the shifting balance of power in international relations. Boniface highlighted what he described as a historic transition in global dynamics, particularly with the rising influence of the Global South.
According to Boniface, Western dominance is no longer absolute. While Western nations retain wealth and influence, their exclusive grip on global power structures has weakened. “Westerners have not lost power, they have not lost wealth; they have lost their monopoly on them,” he said. He emphasised the need for a more inclusive global system where all nations have equal standing at the decision-making table.
Sonko echoed these sentiments, calling for stronger unity among African nations. He urged countries across the continent to consolidate their influence and work collectively to assert their sovereignty in global affairs.
A key part of his message focused on Africa’s demographic advantage. He described the continent’s youth population as a powerful resource that must be harnessed to achieve true independence and global relevance. According to Sonko, without engaging and empowering young people, Africa’s aspirations for sovereignty and development will remain incomplete.
His remarks come at a time of heightened geopolitical tension, as conflicts in the Middle East continue to ripple across global markets and diplomatic relations. The Senegalese leader’s comments reflect a broader frustration among some Global South nations, who increasingly question the role and impact of Western-led interventions on international stability.
As debates over global power structures intensify, voices like Sonko’s signal a growing demand for a rebalanced world order—one in which emerging economies and developing nations play a more decisive role in shaping the future.
