Relationship dossier
Iran
Senegal
Relationship assessment
Industrial cooperation alongside a serious arms-related dispute and a subsequent restoration of relations
Iran toward Senegal
+5Iran pursued industrial cooperation in Senegal, including an Iranian-backed vehicle assembly project. Senegal later alleged Iranian arms were destined for Casamance rebels; Iran denied involvement. Diplomatic relations were restored in 2013.
Senegal toward Iran
-5Senegal severed diplomatic relations with Iran in 2011 over allegations concerning arms destined for Casamance rebels, then restored relations in 2013. The break and restoration reflect a significant security concern alongside renewed engagement.
Overall relationship
0The relationship combines Iranian-backed industrial cooperation with a major security dispute that led Senegal to sever ties in 2011. Restoration of diplomatic relations in 2013 resumed engagement, but the available features indicate a mixed and limited partnership rather than a close alignment.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Iran and Senegal have pursued industrial cooperation, including an Iranian-backed vehicle assembly project in Senegal. Relations were disrupted in 2011 when Senegal severed diplomatic ties over allegations that Iranian arms were destined for Casamance rebels; Iran denied involvement. The countries restored relations in 2013, leaving a relationship marked by practical cooperation alongside a serious security dispute.
Areas of tension
- Senegal's 2011 allegation that Iranian arms were destined for Casamance rebels; Iran denied involvement.
Key developments
An Iranian-backed vehicle assembly project operated in Senegal as part of industrial cooperation.
Senegal severed diplomatic relations with Iran amid allegations concerning arms destined for Casamance rebels; Iran denied involvement.
Senegal and Iran restored diplomatic relations after the 2011 rupture.
Major uncertainties
- The scale and durability of Iranian-backed industrial projects in Senegal are unclear.
- The details and implementation of the understanding that preceded restoration of diplomatic relations are unclear.