"The Senegalese Ministry of Justice's moved to suspend all extraditions to France, with the governing PASTEF party calling it a 'principle of sovereignty'. "Senegal's position is a courageous and dignified position because, as you know, in bilateral cooperation, reciprocity is the rule. This is why a state can legitimately invoke an exception," said Abdoulaye Tall, member of Parliament for the PASTEF party (African Patriots of Senegal for Work, Ethics, and Fraternity), speaking from Dakar on Tuesday. "This is the principle of sovereignty. It is a principle that is non-negotiable. It is like the integrity of the territory, the national territory, and our republican form of the state. Sovereignty is neither up for discussion, nor for compromise, and no concessions are made," he added. In contrast, Doudou Wade, a member of the opposition Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS), criticised the move, suggesting that the Ministry of Justice may not be the proper authority to make such announcements. "[The Minister of Justice] is not competent in this particular area, which primarily concerns the transmission of documents by the Minister of Foreign Affairs," Wade said. Senegal has 'paused' the extradition of 12 individuals wanted by French authorities until, it said, France complies with Dakar's requests. Paris stands accused of refusing to hand over two Senegalese citizens. In one case, an appeals court in France asked for more information about the potential extradition of media baron Madiambal Diagne, who is wanted for alleged financial irregularities. The move marks a sharp decline in judicial co-operation under President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who is prioritising 'national sovereignty' and re-evaluating long-standing ties with the country’s former French colonial ruler. "