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Senegal

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Map of Senegal Last reviewed: 02 June 2009

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POLITICS

Senegal is a presidential republic, with an elected National Assembly. The Senate was abolished in 2001, but reintroduced in 2007. The President is permitted to stand for two terms of 5 years, although President Wade did one term of 7 years from 2000 to 2007, in line with constitutional provision in 2000.

Wade won the Presidential elections in 2000 after a second round run off against Diouf. Diouf quickly conceded defeat and there was a peaceful transition to the country's first ever non-PS Government. Legislative elections were called in the following year. PDS centred coalition won convincingly. Presidential elections were held on 25 February 2007. President Wade won in the first round, with a score of 55.9 %. Wade's former Prime Minister and protege, Idrissa Seck, got 14.9% and the PS candidate Tanor Dieng got 13.9%. Legislative elections were held in June. The oppostion boycotted, allowing the PDS centred ruling coalition to win 131 of the 150 seats, on a historically low turn out of 35%.

With Wade's dominance of the political scene confirmed, the political future of Idrissa Seck is uncertain. Tanor Dieng confirmed his strong base in the PS by being re-elected Secretary General of the party in October 2007. With a difficult economic context, especially in terms of oil prices, Wade is having to deal with social unrest in the public sector. This was compounded in November when a march by unions coincided with riots caused by government attempts to clear street traders from some areas of Dakar.

Since 1982 an armed separatist movement in the impoverished Casamance region of southern Senegal, known as the Mouvement des Forces Democratiques de Casamance (MFDC) has been fighting for independence. Negotiations with the Dakar government have been hindered by constant splits and leadership disputes within the MFDC. Much of the apparently rebel activity is little more than banditry. A framework peace agreement was signed in December 2004, but its implementation has not been complete owing to further splits in the MFDC. One faction opposed to the agreement was involved in 2006 in armed clashes with the Senegalese army, and armed banditry continues in the area. On 14 January 2007 the historic leader of the MFDC Fr Augustin Diamacoune Senghor died in a hospital in Paris.

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Senegal government website
BBC News: Africa
Senegal National Assembly
BBC News Online Country Profile for Senegal

For recent statements of UK government policy towards Senegal go to the Hansard website and enter 'Senegal' in the search engine

HUMAN RIGHTS

Senegal has a good record on Human Rights. The press, civil society organisations and political parties generally exercise their activities freely. In recent years however some concern has been expressed over intimidation of journalists, some of whom have been charged with disseminating 'false news'. Several journalists and opposition politicians were detained or arrested in the first half of 2006 in connection with revelations of alleged government corruption. In July 2004, Madiambal Diagne, Managing Editor of "Le Quotidien" was arrested for publishing confidential reports, false information and incitement to rebellion. He was released after 18 days of detention following a campaign by civil society organisations. The controversial "Ezzan" Law, which grants an amnesty for some politically motivated crimes, was passed on 7 January 2005.

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