Dakar at the heart of the global debate on military history: a 50th Congress under the sign of rebellion and sovereignty

Dakar, 1 September 2025 – The Senegalese capital turned this Monday into a crossroads of military and historical knowledge with the opening of the 50th International Military History Congress. Researchers, officers, diplomats and historians from 37 countries met for five days to revisit two centuries of rebellion and question their influence on state sovereignty.

The opening ceremony, presided over by General Air Force (2S) Birame Diop, Minister of the Armed Forces, set the tone for a meeting under high strategic consideration. « The violent challenge of state authority concerns us all as sovereign states », said the Minister, recalling that territorial integrity remains a non-negotiable value for young nations like Senegal.

Under the aegis of the International Commission on Military History (CIHM)This congress is not just an academic showcase. It provides a space for dialogue between military training, historical research and scientific exchanges. Panels, conferences and workshops will be held during the week, exploring how rebellions – from 1800 to the present day – have shaped, sometimes weakened, but also strengthened contemporary state structures.

By hosting this 50th edition, Dakar is imposing itself as an international scene where memory, knowledge and current geopolitical issues mix together.