Editing Foreign relations of Senegal (section)

=== Mali Federation (1959–60) ===
Senegal was an active member of the [[Mali Federation]] during its existence from 1959 to 1960. Along with [[French Sudan]], Senegal advocated for the union of French-speaking West African nations, including the proposal of the union's name, and was a key contributor in its creation.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Political Parties and National Integration in Tropical Africa |orig-date=1964 |date=2019 |editor=James S. Coleman |editor2=Carl G. Rosberg |isbn=978-0-520-31175-6 |location=Berkeley, CA |oclc=1149456625}}</ref> The formation of the Federation reflected a desire to prevent AOF ([[French West Africa|Afrique Occidentale Française]], or French West Africa) from fragmenting — the constitution writing process was led by [[Léopold Sédar Senghor|Leopold Senghor]] and [[Modibo Keïta|Modibo Keita]], the first presidents of Senegal and Mali, respectively.<ref name=":422"/>

In 1960, Senegalese and Malian interests conflicted when Senghor became a candidate for the presidency of the Federation and Keita responded by declaring a state of emergency. On August 20, Senegal left the Mali Federation. The Federation subsequently dissolved.<ref name=":422" />