Senegal and France step up security collaboration ahead of Dakar 2026 youth olympics
Latest news. At just three months until the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, Senegal and France are deepening their security partnership. The Interior Ministers of both nations held a strategic call to finalize preparations for this landmark African sporting event.
The countdown to the Games has reached its final phase, with just 90 days remaining until the competition kicks off on October 31, 2026.
With the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games on the horizon, Senegal is accelerating its preparations in collaboration with international partners, including France.
On Wednesday, Senegal’s Minister of the Interior and Public Security, Mouhamadou Makhtar Cissé, held a telephone conference with his French counterpart, Laurent Nuñez, to discuss security arrangements for the event. The Games, scheduled from October 31 to November 13, 2026, will bring together thousands of young athletes, officials, and journalists from across the globe to Dakar.
Securing this historic first-ever Olympic event on African soil remains a top priority for Senegalese authorities.
Paris reaffirms commitment to Dakar’s safety
In a statement, Senegal’s Interior Ministry highlighted the substantial support France is providing to ensure the Games run smoothly. The discussion reflected ongoing cooperation between Dakar and Paris, following Minister Cissé’s official visit to France in June 2026, shortly after assuming office. While specific details of the collaboration remain undisclosed, France brings extensive experience in securing major international sporting events, notably after successfully managing the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics.
Solidarity in times of crisis
At the start of the meeting, Minister Cissé conveyed his solidarity with France, which has been battling severe forest fires in the southern regions for weeks. The gesture underscored the strong bilateral ties between the two nations, extending beyond the immediate concerns of the Games.
A historic milestone for Africa
Senegalese officials view this security partnership as vital to the success of the Dakar 2026 Games. As the first Olympic competition ever hosted on African soil, the event represents more than just a sporting spectacle—it offers Senegal an opportunity to showcase its ability to organize a world-class gathering with the highest safety standards.
As the deadline approaches, Dakar is ramping up coordination with its partners to ensure the Games leave a lasting legacy, both in sports and organizational excellence.
