Australia–Senegal relations
Bilateral relations
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Diplomacy
Until 2004, Australia's High Commissioner to Nigeria was accredited to Senegal (along with Ghana and the Gambia).[2] Bob Whitty held this position from January 2001, followed by Iain Cameron Dickie from February 2004.[2] In 2004 an Australian High Commission was opened in Ghana,[3] and the High Commissioner was accredited to Senegal (along with Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone and Togo).[4] Jonathan Richardson was the first High Commissioner in this role,[3] then William Williams held the position until February 2012, when he was replaced by Joanna Adamson.[4]
Senegal is currently accredited to Australia through its embassy in Tokyo, Japan.[5]
It was announced in May 2012 that Australia would establish an embassy in Dakar, Senegal,[6] which would be the first Australian embassy in a French-speaking African nation.[7] This promise helped to deliver African votes for Australia to obtain a seat on the United Nations Security Council in October 2012.[8] In May 2013, the promise was indefinitely delayed due to budget cuts at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade under the Gillard Government.[8]
Trade
Senegal's 2003 mining code is based on those of Australia and Canada.[9] Senegal's Director of Mines and Geology actively promotes Australian mining investment.[10] Several mining companies listed on the Australian Securities Exchange including BHP,[11] Mineral Deposits Limited,[12] Bassari Resources,[10] Erin Resources,[9] and First Australian Resources (partnered with Petrosen, Senegal's national oil company),[13][14] have projects in Senegal, primarily mining gold, mineral sands,[15] and oil and gas.[13]
See also
