DAKAR, Senegal, Feb. 23 (UPI) -- Senegal announced that it cut diplomatic ties with Iran as a consequence of arms shipments that it blames for the deaths of its soldiers.
Senegalese Foreign Minister Madicke Niang said his country was furious that Iranian weapons were being sent to West Africa.
"Senegal is indignant to find that Iranian bullets have been able to cause the deaths of Senegalese soldiers," he was quoted by Bloomberg News as saying. "As a consequence, Senegal has decided to break its diplomatic relations with the republic of Iran".
Senegal in December recalled its ambassador to Iran over arms shipments seized in Nigeria.
Authorities in October seized from a loading dock in Lagos an arms cache that included ammunition, rocket launchers and grenades. Allegations surfaced the weapons were bound for southern Senegal, though Iran said the weapons belonged to a private company and were being shipped to Gambia.
Three Nigerians and an Iranian were accused of trying to smuggle the weapons to Gambia. In November, the Gambian government ordered Iranian officials out of the country.
By January, however, Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade restored diplomatic ties with Iran after Tehran promised to develop $200 million in joint projects in Senegal, Bloomberg adds. UPI
