On behalf of the American people, I congratulate you on the 60th anniversary of Senegal’s independence. During my recent visit to Dakar, I had the pleasure of enjoying your famous teranga hospitality and seeing first-hand the results of our decades-long close partnership.

While visiting Senegal, I presided over the signing of memoranda between U.S. and Senegalese business partners, saw the products of dynamic, young Senegalese entrepreneurs who participated in U.S. exchange programs, and had important meetings with senior government officials. During all these engagements, the breadth and depth of our friendship was on full display. Even now, our longstanding public health partnership is helping us respond to and combat COVID-19.

We look forward to making even more progress on shared and inclusive economic prosperity, promoting regional peace and security, and continuing to invest in Senegal’s greatest asset—its people.