Senegal has recalled its ambassador to Tehran after Iran failed to provide a "satisfactory" explanation for arms sent from Iran and discovered in the port of Lagos in October, officials said Wednesday.
"Senegal, standing by its commitments to peace and security that should govern relations between states, and judging that the explanations provided on this affair by the Iranian side are not satisfactory, has decided to recall its ambassador for consultations," the foreign ministry said in a communique transmitted to AFP.
The ministry said the arms were bound for a "state in western Africa," the officials said, while local press reports and observers said Dakar feared the arms consignment was destined for the separatist rebels of the Casamance Movement of Democratic Forces in southern Senegal.
Casamance, which is cut off from northern Senegal by the Gambia, has been caught in a separatist rebellion since 1982, and a peace accord signed in 2004 failed to stop the violence.
Until now Senegal and Iran have enjoyed strong diplomatic ties.
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