Independent from France in 1960, Senegal was ruled by the Socialist Party for forty years until current President Abdoulaye WADE was elected in 2000. Senegal joined with The Gambia to form the nominal confederation of Senegambia in 1982, but the envisaged integration of the two countries was never carried out, and the union was dissolved in 1989. A southern separatist group sporadically has clashed with government forces since 1982, but Senegal remains one of the most stable democracies in Africa. Senegal has a long history of participating in international peacekeeping.
Country profile: Senegal
Senegal has been held up as one of Africa's model democracies. It has an established multi-party system and a tradition of civilian rule.Although poverty is widespread and unemployment is high, the country has one of the region's more stable economies.
For the Senegalese, political participation and peaceful leadership changes are not new. Even as a colony Senegal had representatives in the French parliament. And the promoter of African culture, Leopold Senghor, who became president at independence in 1960, voluntarily handed over power to Abdou Diouf in 1980.
AT-A-GLANCE- Politics: Abdoulaye Wade came to power in 2000, ending four decades of Socialist Party rule; presidential elections are due in February 2007
- Economy: Agriculture drives the economy; tourism is a source of foreign exchange
- International: Senegal has mediated between Sudan and Chad over Darfur tensions; many African illegal migrants use Senegal as a departure point for Europe
- Security: Despite a peace deal, a low-level separatist rebellion simmers in Casamance, in the south
The 40-year rule of Senegal's Socialist Party came to a peaceful end in elections in 2000, which were hailed as a rare democratic power transfer on a continent plagued by coups, conflict and election fraud.
Senegal is on the western-most part of the bulge of Africa and includes desert in the north and a moist, tropical south. Slaves, ivory and gold were exported from the coast during the 17th and 18th centuries and now the economy is based mainly on agriculture. The money sent home by Senegalese living abroad is a key source of revenue.
A long-running, low-level separatist war in the southern Casamance region has claimed hundreds of lives. The conflict broke out over claims by the region's people that they were being marginalised by the Wolof, Senegal's main ethnic group.
The government and rebels signed a peace pact at the end of 2004, raising hopes for reconciliation.
On the world stage, Senegal has sent peacekeeping troops to DR Congo, Liberia and Kosovo.
- Full name: Republic of Senegal
- Population: 10.6 million (UN, 2005)
- Capital: Dakar
- Area: 196,722 sq km (75,955 sq miles)
- Major language: French (official), Wolof
- Major religion: Islam
- Life expectancy: 54 years (men), 57 years (women) (UN)
- Monetary unit: 1 CFA (Communaute Financiere Africaine) franc = 100 centimes
- Main exports: Fish, peanuts, petroleum products, phosphates, cotton
- GNI per capita: US $710 (World Bank, 2006)
- Internet domain: .sn
- International dialling code: +221
President: Abdoulaye Wade
Abdoulaye Wade, the founder of the Senegalese Democratic Party, won presidential elections at the fifth attempt, defeating Abdou Diouf's Socialist Party in March 2000. He was 73 at the time.
He found himself in a political impasse: The presidential poll did not coincide with parliamentary elections and he was left heading a minority coalition.
But elections in April 2001 consolidated his power base. His supporters gained control of the national assembly, with his party winning 89 of the 120 seats.
An advocate of democratisation, Mr Wade helped to launch the New Partnership for Africa's Development, or Nepad. The plan aims to foster economic recovery through African-led reforms and good governance. He has sought to strengthen ties with the US.
Abdoulaye Wade was born in northern Senegal in 1927. He studied in France and has a French wife.
The country has a lively political scene, with parties competing across ethnic, religious and ideological lines. General elections are expected in February 2007.
Senegal has traditionally enjoyed one of the most unrestricted media climates in the region. However the Paris-based media rights body Reporters Without Borders noted in 2004 that developments in Senegal had taken a "disturbing turn".
It cited the expulsion from the country of a Radio France Internationale correspondent over her coverage of the Casamance issue. Several other journalists had been physically attacked or threatened, it added. In 2005 a leading private radio station, Sud FM, was taken off the air temporarily after it aired an interview with a Casamance separatist leader.
The constitution guarantees media freedom. The government does not practise censorship, but self-censorship arises from laws which prohibit reports that discredit the state, incite disorder or disseminate "false news". Nevertheless, the private media frequently criticise the government.
Radio is an influential medium. Commercial and community stations have mushroomed since the 1990s.
There are nearly 20 daily newspapers. Foreign publications circulate freely and multichannel pay-TV is readily available. BBC World Service and Radio France Internationale are available on FM in Dakar.
The press
Television
Radio
News agency
In January 1994, Senegal undertook a bold and ambitious economic reform program with the support of the international donor community. This reform began with a 50% devaluation of Senegal's currency, the CFA franc, which was linked at a fixed rate to the French franc. Government price controls and subsidies have been steadily dismantled. After seeing its economy contract by 2.1% in 1993, Senegal made an important turnaround, thanks to the reform program, with real growth in GDP averaging over 5% annually during 1995-2004. Annual inflation had been pushed down to the low single digits. As a member of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), Senegal is working toward greater regional integration with a unified external tariff and a more stable monetary policy. However, Senegal still relies heavily upon outside donor assistance. Under the IMF's Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) debt relief program, Senegal will benefit from eradication of two-thirds of its bilateral, multilateral, and private-sector debt.
Senegalese natural resources include fish, phosphates, iron ore
westernmost country on the African continent; The Gambia is almost an enclave within Senegal
Senegalese religion is Muslim 94%, Christian 5% (mostly Roman Catholic), indigenous beliefs 1%.
Natural hazards in Senegal include lowlands seasonally flooded; periodic droughts.
Travel Advice on Senegal
SUMMARY
- Most visits to Senegal are trouble-free. The main type of incident for which British nationals require consular assistance in Senegal are varied, but have included illness and problems with passports.
- Pick pocketing and street crime is common in parts of Dakar. You should take sensible precautions and avoid carrying valuables in public.
- The Casamance region in south-western Senegal remains affected by incidents involving separatist rebel groups. You should avoid travel by road in the western Casamance because of the recent increase in conflict and isolated incidents of banditry.
- You should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.
- We strongly advise that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. Please see: Travel Insurance.
SAFETY AND SECURITY
The EU has published a list of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban or restrictions within the community. You should check the following link to see whether this will affect your travel: http://europa.eu.int/comm/transport/air/safety/flywell_en.htm
LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact: http://www.senegalembassy.co.uk.
HEALTH
Health facilities in Dakar are reasonable but are limited in the rest of Senegal.
GENERAL