SENEGAL

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TEXT BRIEFLY HIGHLIGHTS: Diaries updates, key events, brief analysis

and relating news articles in timeline

Overview

First it was explored by the Portuguese in 1445 and in 1638 the French

established a trading post around in exportation of Gold, slaves & ivories,

during the period several hundred thousands of Africans have died as a

result of being inslaved to the west or who were caught up in the violence

and chaos unleashed as their communities suffered destruction during the

raids by slaving European gangs. The areas of Senegal around Dakar and

St Louis, colonised in the 1840s, were the earliest parts of the formal

French empire in sub-Saharan Africa. Dakar was the capital of French

West Africa from the early 1900s. Some Africans from this region were

granted full French citizenship, and a handful of individuals became

prominent in French public life, such as Blaise Diagne and Leopold Sedar

Senghor, both members of the French parliament in the colonial period.

On independence in 1960, Senghor became the country’s first President.

Famous for his intellectual and literary achievements, his rule was

peaceful and largely benevolent, although the country was a one party

state from 1966 until multiparty democracy was introduced in 1974. In

1980 Senghor retired, handing the presidency to his Prime Minister Abdou

Diouf, who subsequently confirmed his position by winning presidential

elections in 1983 and again in 1988.

The presidential elections of 1988 were marred by allegations of fraud and

followed by serious rioting. Opposition leaders were tried for incitement to

violence, and some, including the veteran opposition leader Abdoulaye

Wade, were convicted. The Socialist Party (PS) won legislative elections in

1993 and 1998 and President Diouf was re-elected in 1993. However, with

the economy declining in the 1990s and with a series of splits within the

PS, the party's old aura of invincibility began to fade.

Until independence on August 20, 1960, Senegal was part of the Mali

Federation of French-West Africa. The founder-president of the republic

was Mr. Leopold Sedar Senghor, Senegal was ruled by a socialist party for

over fourty years under the late ex-president.

Headship since independence; Head of State

It's first president Leopold Sedar Senghor voluntarily resigned on the 31st

of December, 1980.

In 1962, a new constitution was adopted from the previous parliamentary

system to a presidential one. And Mr. Abdou Diouf, replaced him as

president when the nomination comes.

On the 31st of December, 1980 the founder-president of the republic Mr.

Leopold Sedar Senghor voluntarily resigned. And Mr. Abdou Diouf replaced

Mr. Sedar Seghor as the nomination comes to him.

Maitre Abdoulaye Wade replaced, the second president Abdou Diouf who

served two terms in office, after unsuccessfully vying for the presidency

for almost twenty two years, and reelected in February, 2007 since he

elected in 2000.

On 20th of December, 2001 the self-exiled ex-President Leopold Sedar

Senghor passed away at age 91 in France. The late Mr. Leopold Sedar

Senghor wrote a number of books, essays and poems, that have earned

him an established literary prestige.

In 4th April, 2012 after 12 years in power, Maitre Abdoulaye Wade finally

bowed out following defeat by his protégé and former prime minister,

Macky Sall, in a run-off vote.

A Republic in West Africa on the Atlantic.

First it was explored by the Portuguese in 1445 and in 1638 the French

established a trading post around in exportation of Gold, slaves & ivories,

during the period several hundred thousands of Africans have died as a

result of being inslaved to the west or who were caught up in the violence

and chaos unleashed as their communities suffered destruction during the

raids by slaving European gangs. The weight of suffering must have been

unbearable- families had traumatised and torn asunder, community bonds

have shattered, trust between peoples broken for forever.The French

gained control over the area and made it part of French West Africa in

1895, it's inhabitants were made French citizens in 1946 when it became

an overseas territory of France. Became an autonomous republic in 1958

merging with the French Sudan (formerly Mali) and granted their

independence as the Mali-Federation in April, 1960, the union broke-up

after only few months. The founder-president of the republic was Mr.

Leopold Sedar Senghor, Senegal was ruled by a socialist party for nearly

fourty years under the late ex-president. It's first president Leopold Sedar

Senghor voluntarily resigned on the 31st of December, 1980. And Mr.

Abdou Diouf, replaced him as president when the nomination comes. Mr.

Leopold Sedar Senghor wrote a number of books, essays and poems, that

have earned him an established literary prestige, until he passed away on

the 20th of December, 2001 in France, where he self-exiled.

The current president Maitre Abdoulaye Wade elected, replaced the

second president who served two terms in office until 2000. And reelected

in February, 2007 Since he came to power in 2000, after unsuccessfully

vying for the presidency for almost twenty two years, Maitre Abdoulaye

Wade has been himself more than a leader just Senegal, from his role in

the establishment of the New Partnership for Africa's Development

(NEPAD) to his regular advocacy for a "United States of Africa", the 84-

years old leader has made a hall of fame for himself well beyond the

boundaries of his country of about 12 million people, he has become a

regional and continental power broker, for example, , in August, 2010, he

flew to neighbouring Guinea following a political deadloch over the

transition of power to democratic civilian rule in Guinea. And to advise the

Guineans to understand the situation and to contribute in unlocking the

political situation. In April, 2010, he was invited by the stakeholders to

mediate in the political crisis in Cote D' Ivoire, two months earlier, the

regional Economic bloc, the ECOWAS had appointed him as a mediator in

Niger's political crisis following a military overthrow there, thanks to his

medition as elderman like him, Niger is still calm despite the fact that the

ousted president Tandja Mamadou is still in military captivity. After a

similar coup d'etat in neighbouring Mauritania in 2008, the elderman Mr.

Abdoulaye Wade quickly took it upon himself to mediate b/n the coup

leaders and the political elite, as in Mauritania now reinstated a civilian

rule, thanks to his mediation. He was also involved in quite numbers of

successful meditions in Chad, Sudan, Zimbabwe and Madagascar, outside

the frontiers of the continent, Maitre Abdoulaye Wade even offered to

negotiate in the Middle East crisis and has invited both the Israelis & the

Palestinian leaders to talkes in Senegal. In 2005, the UNESCO awarded

him the Felix Houphouet Boigny peace prize to Maitre Wade for "his

outstanding contribution to democracy in Senegal and for his role as

meddler elderman in mediating political disputes in the region.

However, as he mediates crisis across the continent, when come back

home, the conflict over secession in the southern Senegalese region of

Casamance is today one of Africa's oldest wars, which that started in 1981

rebel attacks in the region have resulted in the death of at least dozens of

soldiers and the displacement of thousands in recent years, when he came

to power in 2000, he promised to resolve the conflict in hundred days

time, but more than ten years into office, the Casamance rebels are still

fighting. Thus, Maitre Wade has been under intense criticism from his own

people for "failing to initiate a serious plan to end the Casamance crisis".

In early 2010, Maitre Abdoulaye Wade launched a $27m bronze African

renaissance statue of three figures looming over the Atlantic to "give flesh

to African renaissance" and to serve as a symbol in the "fight against

racism". The high unemployment rate in the country has forced thousands

of Senegalese youngsters to emigrate to Europe. And education continues

to be a luxury for most Senegalese. There is also a public discontent over

Maitre attempt to groom his son to succeed him as president, namely,

Karim Wade, of a French mother, Minister of Energy, International

cooperation, Territorial management, Aviation, Air transport &

Infrastructure, since many Senegalese see him as an outsider, his first

official intry into Senegalese politics was in March, 2009 when local

governmen telections were held and overwhelmingly won by the

opposition. The supporters of Maitre Abdoulaye Wade, however, say he is

still the rightman for the job, making reference to the tarred roads he has

constructed mainly across Dakar, and other infrastructure. But Senegal

remains one of the most stable countries with a well implemented multi-

party democracy in Africa.

Politics

Senegal remains a vibrant democracy. Despite the Socialist party having

monopolised power for decades after independence (until President Wade

came to office), Senegal was one of the very few African countries that did

not officially abolish multi-party practice.

Current political crises are rooted in the increasing centralisation of power

in the hands of the presidency. Despite the population being

overwhelmingly Muslim, secularism is strongly entrenched into the

political system. Indeed, the founding president, Leopold Sedar Senghor,

was a Catholicist. Economy

Since the 1990s, the State has gradually withdrawn from most economic

activities

However, monopolies persist in crucial sectors, though they are subject to

tender procedures

Despite occasional conflicts with the office of Prime Minister, President

Wade’s political leadership is capable of seeking pragmatic coalitions to

pursue his political goals.

Social

Social indicators are low for the region. Spending on health (2.6%) and

education (3.7%) as percentages of GDP are considered low.

More than half of the population is below 20 years.

Major Conflicts

Post-independence consolidation

When: 1960 - 1962

Who: President Senghor vs Prime Minister Mamadou Dia

Why: Power struggle between a scholarly President and a charismatic

Prime Minister

Outcome: Senghor prevailed by pushing a new constitution that

consolidated power under the presidency

Casamance separatism

When: In the 90s

Who: Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance.

Why: Fought for autonomy for the Casamance region in the south,

occupied by the Jola group.

Outcome: On December 30, 2004 President Wade announced that he

would sign a peace treaty with the separatist group. This, however, has

yet to be implemented.

Side note,- Clashes have erupted in Senegal's capital Dakar, after the top

court said President Abdoulaye Wade could run for a third term in next

month's poll. Angered by the decision, protesters threw stones at riot

police, who responded by firing tear gas. Maitre Abdoulaye Wade, 85, has

already served two terms. But the constitution was amended since he was

last elected, and he has argued the law is not retroactive. In its ruling, the

court barred famous singer Youssou N'Dour from running. The opposition

had earlier warned it would hold street protests if Mr Wade's candidacy

was approved, and crowds had gathered in central Dakar to await the

ruling. After the decision came through, youths in the area around Place

de l'obelisque set fire to tyres and engaged in running battles with police.

There were no immediate reports of injuries in the clashes. The

constitutional court's statement, issued lately on Friday, listed 14

candidates - including Maitre Abdoulaye Wade - as eligible to stand in the

26 February, 2012 election. The Goree Island, from where African slaves

were shipped to America. Virtually every US president who has visited

Africa has come to see the slave fort. Senegal is the only African country

which was once headed by Leopold Sedar Senghor, a poet and a member

of France’s hallowed Academie Francaise. The current Senegalese

president Maitre Abdoulaye Wade has been an active mediator in West

Africa and is credited as a stabilising force among Senegal’s troubled

neighbours like The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau.

In 4th April, 2012 after 12 years in power, Maitre Abdoulaye Wade finally

bowed out following defeat by his protégé and former prime minister,

Macky Sall, in a run-off vote. The election followed weeks of riots in major

cities and towns across the country over Mr. Abdoulaye Wade’s decision to

run for a third term. There were fears Senegal in it’s over 40 years of

independence would plunge into an election related civil war. In the run-

up to the March, 2012 polls, opposition activists, mainly young people,

took to the streets of Dakar and elsewhere for weeks, demanding that

President Abdoulaye Wade withdraw his controversial third term bid. The

riots resulted in at least six deaths, and the destruction of property worth

millions of CFA francs. For at least two weeks, most shops and businesses

in the city centre of the capital Dakar were closed, while schools and

universities had shut downfor several weeks before that. Many people

feared the worst as violence escalated and tension rose days before the

polls. Foreign journalists flew in from around the world in anticipation of

the “imminent” post-election violence. In contrast, tourists and some

foreign nationals quickly flew out of the country in fear. Potential foreign

investors stayed away to “wait and see” whether it would be safe to invest

in the country. And rich Senegalese, including government officials, sent

their families abroad for protection. But less than three hours after the

first run-off result was announced on 25th March, 2012 Senegal proved the

sceptics wrong, and showed the world how democracy worked. As early

results showed a clear lead for Macky Sall, President Abdoulaye Wade, in

the presence of his French wife and two children, telephoned Macky Sall to

congrajulate him. “The results announced so far have shown that you are

the winner of the election … I congrajulate you and wish you all the best,”

Maitre Wade was quoted as saying on the from the presidential palace,

and that was enough to avoid whatever dangers or doubts anybody had

anticipated might ensue. Within minutes, Independence Square in the

centre of town, which had been the epicenter of pre-election riots, saw

thousands gathering to sing songs and dance, many of them shed tears of

joy. World leaders quickly lauded the country for the democratic and

transparent manner of the polls, and more importantly, for the swift

transfer of power. The Senegalese politician called Macky Sall, 50 who was

elected President of Senegal in March 2012; is set to take office on 3 April

2012. Under President Abdoulaye Wade, Macky Sall was Prime Minister of

Senegal from April 2004 to June 2007 and President of the unicameral

National Assembly of Senegal from June 2007 to November 2008.He was

the Mayor of Fatick from 2002 to 2008 and has held that post again since

April 2009. Macky Sall, a geological engineer by profession was a long-

time member of the Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS). After coming

into conflict with President Abdoulaye Wade, he was removed from his

post as President of the National Assembly in November 2008; he

consequently founded his own party and joined the opposition. Placing

second in the first round of the 2012 presidential election, Macky Sall won

the backing of other opposition candidates and prevailed over Abdoulaye

Wade in the second round of voting, held on 25th March 2012. Senegal is

relatively seen as one of the most democratic and stable countries in West

Africa - it is the only country in the region never to have experienced a

military coup.

Accession to power of president Macky Sall - 3rd April, 2012 by election.

Tentative election calendar-Presidential, March.

Senegal – Timeline Diaries updates and related key notes:

8th century - Present-day Senegal is part of the Kingdom of Ghana.

11th century - Tukulor occupy lower Senegal valley

12-14th centuries - Rise of the Jolof empire.

1440s - Portuguese traders reach Senegal river estuary.

1588 - Dutch establish slave port on island of Goree.

1659 - French found St-Louis at the mouth of the Senegal river; it

becomes a key slave-trading port.

1677 - French take over island of Goree from the Dutch.

1756-63 - Seven Years' War: Britain takes over French posts in Senegal,

forms colony of Senegambia. France regains its holdings during American

Revolutionary War of 1775-83.

1816 - Britain returns French holdings captured during Napoleonic wars.

Late 1800s - France extends its influence, gains control of all the territory

of Senegal.

1895 - Senegal becomes part of French West Africa.

1914 - Blaise Diagne elected as Senegal's first African deputy to French

parliament.

1946 - Senegal becomes part of the French Union.

1956 - National Assembly established.

1958 - Becomes an autonomous republic, as part of the French

Community.

1960 June - Senegal becomes independent, as part of Mali Federation.

1960 August - Senegal pulls out of Mali Federation, becomes separate

republic with Leopold Sedar Senghor as founder president.

1962 - Attempted coup led by Prime Minister Mamadou Dia foiled.

Mamadou Dia imprisoned until 1974.

1963 - First constitution drawn-up.

1966 – Leopold Senghor's Senegalese Progressive Union becomes

country's sole political party.

1978 - Three-party political system introduced.

1981 - Leopold Sedar Senghor steps down; Abdou Diouf becomes

president in 1981.

1982 – SeneGambian Confederation formed; Senegal and neighbouring

Gambia aim to combine military and security forces.

1982 - Separatists in southern province of Casamance form Casamance

Movement of Democratic Forces (MFDC).

1988 – President Abdou Diouf re-elected.

1989 - SeneGambian Confederation dissolved.

Dispute over grazing rights in southern Mauritania sparks violent unrest in

Senegal and Mauritania.

1992 - Diplomatic relations with neighbouring Mauritania restored.

1993 – Prsident Abdou Diouf re-elected for third term

March 2000 - Opposition leader Abdoulaye Wade wins second round of

presidential elections, ending 40 years of Socialist Party rule.

January 2001 - Voters back new constitution which shortens presidential

term, limits holder to two terms, and gives president power to dissolve

parliament.

March 2001 - Government signs peace accord with separatist rebels in

Casamance. But there is little follow-up as separatists go through splits

and leadership changes.

April 2001 - Abdoulaye Wade's Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS) wins

an overwhelming majority in parliamentary elections.

December 21, 2001: Leopold Sedar Senghor, founding father of Senegal,

dies in Paris, France.

The founder President of the Republic of Senegal, the Honorable Leopold

Sedar Senghor has died at in-exile home in Paris, France. The late

President Senghor was 95 years old. Leopold Sedar Senghor became the

first President of the independent Senegal in 1960. He was among the

generation of independence era leaders that were the pioneers of African

Unity, and that only today are recieving their just tribute as founding

fathers and giants of the African history and Literature. President Senghor

was also a rarity in Africa, in that he voluntarily relinquished power. He

stepped down from the Presidency in 1980, and was succeeded by his

then Prime Minister, President Abdu Diouf. This was the precedent for the

peaceful transfer of power following the elections of 2000, to the former

long time opposition leader, the current President Abdoulaye Wade. It

says much about Senegal and of President Senghor, that his long time

advesary President Wade paid tribute to him and spoke of his own great

admiration for the man even though they had been political opponents.

President Senghor was also a giant in a field other that politics. He is

generally regarded as one of the great African poets. Our heartfelt

condolences to the people of Senegal and the family of the late president.

Africa has lost a great elder

June 27, 2002: Senegal launched a huge military operation to track down

armed separatist rebels in the West African country's southern Casamance

region on 21 June. The operation in the Bignona department (northwest of

the Casmance capital Ziguinchor) was a response to "recent acts by

armed rebel groups that have threatened security". All residents were told

to stay indoors while the army hunted down the rebels, but by 25 June

Gambian radio reported that over 1,000 Casamance region citizens fleeing

army operations had sought refugee in Gambia. The Bignona district is

largely cut off from the rest of Senegal by the Gambia and its river.

Casamance has been beset for 20 years by a separatist rebellion led by

the Casamance Movement of Democratic Forces (MFDC), who

degenerated into a group of drug-smuggling extortionists. In addition to

raising 70% of their funds from Cannibis smuggling, the MFDC will

surround villages with antipersonnel mines and demand tribute in cash

and livestock to remove them. The MFDC has disrupted Senegal's lucrative

tourist trade (primarily from France) to Casamance's beaches.

In October 2001, MFDC leaders warned that the group was out of cash

and claimed that a resurgence in violence in Casamance was driven by

hunger among MFDC fighters. The Senegalese government describes the

rebels as gangs who have recently been terrorizing civilians and carrying

out raids, endangering people and property. On 29 April, suspected rebels

killed seven people and wounded four near Bignona's Diouloulou village.

The MFDC movement has effected the political situation in Gambia,

Guinea-Bissau and Senegal. Guinea-Bissau (a former Portuguese colony of

1.3 million people) has been troubled with repeated unrest since an army

mutiny in 1998. Gambia (a former British colony with fewer than 1.5

million people) is separated from Guinea-Bissau by the former French

colony of Senegal. These colonial-era borders bisected traditional tribal

areas, creating the climate for a political witch's brew.

In early May 2002, an operation similar to June's, netted the Senegalese

military 33 MFDC suspects. On 8 May, Gambian Army Chief of Staff

Colonel Baboucarr Jatta revealed that the Gambian Army was monitoring

the situation in the border villages of Dasilami and Kartong, where

residents were caught in the latest flare-up between MFDC separatist

rebels and the Senegalese Army. Jatta claimed that the presence of

Gambian troops on the border was just to monitor the situation, but on 22

May about two dozen coup plotters were arrested in the capital Bissau. It

wasn't until 11 June that Guinea-Bissau's president Kumba Yalla warned

Gambia over its alleged role in coup plots, as the suspects had been

trained in that neighboring country. The Gambian government described

the allegations as "untrue and unfounded", while a Guinea-Bissaun threat

to launch a punitive invasion was met with Gambian derision.

One alleged coup plotter, Guinea-Bissua reserve army officer Fode Conte,

confessed that he feared that he and fellow Mandingo ethnic group

members would be purged from the army, so they planned to

preemptively kill President Yalla and other senior military officers (who are

from the rival Balante ethnic group).

Kumba Yala also accused the MFDC of being involved in the alleged coup

attempt. On 18 June, eight MFDC rebels detained in Bissau following that

incident were handed over to Senegal through the United Nations. MFDC

spokesman Alexandre Djiba, who was arrested in Guinea Bissau on 26

April, had already been released on 29 May and repatriated to Senegal. -

Adam Geibel

September 2002 - Joola ferry disaster: 1,863 passengers are killed when

the Senegalese vessel capsizes off the Gambian coast.

November 2002 - President Wade sacks the prime minister and the rest of

the government; the move is said to be linked to the handling of the Joola

ferry disaster.

December 2004 - Casamance Movement of Democratic Forces (MFDC) and

government sign pact aimed at ending secessionist struggle in province of

Casamance.

July 2005 - Former PM Idrissa Seck is charged with undermining state

security, sparking clashes between his supporters and police. He is jailed

for a time, but is released in February 2006 after the charge is dropped

October 2005 - Dispute with neighbouring Gambia over ferry tariffs on the

border leads to a transport blockade. The economies of both countries

suffer. Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo brokers talks to resolve the

issue.

March 14, 2006: Near Sao Domingos, on the Senegalese border, a bus

hits a land mine, killing twelve civilians. At the same time, Guinea-Bissau

troops moved into the area and began fighting with Senegalese rebels.

The Senegalese had been planting mines in the area, and generally

demonstrating their power.

March 20, 2006: Soldiers continued attacking Senegalese rebels on the

Senegalese border, near the town of Sao Domingos. So far, five soldiers

have been killed, and perhaps as many rebels. The rebels appear to have

retreated back into Sebegal. Some 5,000 civilians fled the fighting.

March 21, 2006: The fighting along the Senegalese border involves

Senegalese rebels, led by Salif Dialo who had previously, in 1999, helped

overthrow current Guinea-Bissau president Joao Bernardo Vieira (who

became president again last year). The Dialo crew have bases on the

Senegal side of the border, and accuse the Guinea-Bissau troops of

entering Senegal to attack their camps. Guinea-Bissau says they attacked

the Dialo men when they crossed the border to meet with weapons

dealers in Sao Domingos.

The Senegalese separatists are demanding independence for the

Casamance region which, is, literally, separated from Senegal by Gambia.

The rebellion has been low key, and going on for two decades. This sort of

situation is typical throughout Africa, where groups of armed men

maintain control, or at least freedom, in an area, often on a border. The

central government does not consider it worth the trouble and expense to

deal with the situation.

August 2006 - The army launches an offensive against rebels from a

faction of the Casamance Movement of Democratic Forces (MFDC).

Senegal and Spain agree to jointly patrol the Senegalese coast to curb the

exodus of illegal migrants heading for Europe. Senegal is a favourite

starting point for migrants setting off in rickety boats.

December 2006 - Spain and Senegal agree a series of measures to curb

illegal migration to the Canary Islands. Spain is to give 4,000 Senegalese

temporary work permits over the next two years.

February 2007 - President Wade wins re-election.

March 10, 2007: Senegal is one of the few African states that have had a

continuous history of electoral transition, and social stability. But now that

is threatened by a long simmering rebellion. The latest elections are

dominated by disputes over to how to handle the rebels down south. The

rebels call themselves the MDFC (Movement of Democratic Forces of

Casamançe), and insist they represent a few percent of the population,

living in the southern part of the country. The MDFC has been at it since

1982.

Casamançe is the narrow area between the Gambia river and the southern

border of Senegal. There's a problem down there. In a quirk of

colonialization,the region along the Gambia river was controlled by the

British, while the rest of the region (modern Senegal) was run by the

French. Thus Gambia became a separate country, when the colonies

became independent 50-60 years ago. Thepeople of " Casamançe" were

cut off from the rest of Senegal by Gambia, as well as tribal affiliations

and economic activity. Compared to therest of Senegal, Casamançe was

poor. Now, more prosperous Wolof tribesmen were coming south to

establish businesses, and compete with the Casamançe natives. In the

1990s, groups of MDFC got guns and began shooting at government

officials, and Wolof "invaders." The end of the Cold War in 1991 brought a

flood of cheap (surplus) AK-47s, and the MDFC was now heavily armed,

and breaking into factions. Some of theMDFC got involved in political

violence in neighboring Guinea-Bissau. This backfired when one of the

Guinea-Bissau leaders MDFC opposed, came to power. That,the

factionalism and more peacekeeping efforts by the Senegal government,

created a peace deal. That is now coming apart, and more men are taking

to thebush with their AK-47s. The majority of the people in Casamançe

are not interested in the MDFC, or the violence. But guys with guns cannot

be ignored. This is the same violence that has ruined so much of the rest

of west Africa. Cheap AK-47s and amoral, unemployed young men.

Growing violence in neighboring Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau, threatens to

spread into Senegal because ofthe spark set off by the MDFC

June 2007 - President Wade's ruling coalition increases its parliamentary

majority in elections boycotted by the opposition.

September 2007 - Spanish authorities launch a campaign on national

television in Senegal to discourage illegal migration.

November 14, 2007: US navy ship heads to Africa’ A United States Navy

ship will depart Spain for a seven-month deployment to central and west

Africa - designed to help nations around the oil-rich Gulf of Guinea beef up

maritime security, say officials. The amphibious ship USS Fort McHenry

would provide training to officials on how to fight crime ranging from

unlawful fishing to human and drug trafficking. It would be joined later by

another US Navy vessel as part of the Africa Partnership Station Initiative,

which also involved officials from Britain, France, Germany, Portugal and

Spain as well as non-governmental organisations. "We all realised that a

stable and prosperous Africa is not just good for Africans, it is good for the

rest of the world," said US 6th Fleet Vice Admiral James A Winnefeld. 'We

expect 150 students a day' Plans included visits to Cameroon, Cape Verde,

Gabon, Ghana, Liberia, Senegal and the tiny archipelago of Sao Tome and

Principe while possible stops in several other African nations were also

being explored. British Royal Navy Commander Nigel May said: "In some

of these countries we expect to have up to 150 students a day." Training

will be provided in a broad range of areas, including logistics, search and

rescue, maritime domain awareness and navigation. The plan was to

involve more nations in the training in future deployments, which might

be carried out on a civilian ship or a vessel belonging to the navy of

another country. Vice Admiral Winnefeld said: "The Africa Partnership

Station Initiative is designed to begin an enduring international effort to

help our African partner nations become self-sufficient in maritime safety

and security. "We don't have any illusions that we are going to solve this

problem overnight." The USS Fort McHenry would also distribute 75 tons

of humanitarian assistance worth $350 000 during its current mission.

Source: IQPC Madrid

November 19, 2007: "French aviso The Commandant Ducuing departed

Friday from Mombasa, Kenya, to accompany the cargo Rozen and

Semlow. These merchant ships, chartered by the World Food Program

(WFP) is set to send to the port of Merka, Somalia, food to the population.

During this humanitarian operation, aviso from the Navy will until their

return, the protection of Rozen and Semlow against possible attacks from

hackers. "Since the beginning of 2007, more than 20 vessels have been

victims of pirates off the coast of Somalia. This resurgence threatens the

delivery of WFP humanitarian traveling over the sea at 80%, "said the

General Staff of the Army. The President of the Republic announced on

September 25 last in the UN Security Council, which ships french ensure

the protection of cargo ships chartered by WFP, for a period of 2 months.

Long of 80 meters for a displacement of 1100 tons, Cdt Ducuing is not a

senior but its fire power was large enough to repel any attack from the

Somali coast. Small vessels designed during the Cold War, Ducuing is, in

fact, heavily armed for a boat in its class. Mis on hold in 1980 to the

arsenal of Lorient (today DCNS), the F795 is the fifteenth aviso from the

Series 17 A69 (three others, originally built for South Africa, were sold to

Argentina ). Nine buildings of this type, built originally for the anti Coast,

are still in service in the Navy. They must be replaced during the next

decade, by Frigate European Multi-Missions. The FREMM, which must be

carried out 17 copies, also ensure the succession of 10 frigates ASM types

F767 and F70, which 9 are still operational ."

December 2007 - President Abdoulaye Wade declares three days of

mourning after Serigne Saliou Mbacke, leader of Senegal's richest and

most powerful Islamic brotherhood, dies aged 92.

April 2008 - Senegal's national assembly amends the country's

constitution to allow the trial of Chad's ex-leader Hissene Habre, who is

accused of human rights abuses during his eight years in power.

March 2009 - Opposition parties win control of several cities in local

elections, including Dakar, formerly a stronghold of President Wade.

April 2009 April - Belgium starts proceedings at the International Court of

Justice in The Hague to try to force Senegal to bring former Chadian

President Hissene Habre to trial for alleged human rights abuses during

his time in power.

Prime Minister Cheikh Hajibou Soumare steps down after governing

coalition suffers losses in local council polls. The president's son Karim is

included in the new cabinet.

May 2009 - A UN court accepts Senegal's pledge to keep in the country

ex-Chad dictator Hissene Habre, ahead of his trial for rights abuses.

September-October 2009 - Clashes between troops and rebels in the

province of Casamance

April 6, 2010: Marines Hit the Beach in Senegal’ U.S. Marines disembark a

landing craft during an offload of U.S. Navy Seabees and Spanish,

Portuguese and British marines to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 7 in

Guereo, Senegal. The Marines and Seabees will work with the Senegalese

army as part of Africa Partnership Station West, an international initiative

developed by U.S. Naval Forces Europe and U.S. Naval Forces Africa to to

improve maritime safety and security. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer

1st Class Martine Cuaron.

April 2010 - Senegal marks 50 years of independence.

France gives up its military bases in the country.

March 2012 - Macky Sall wins Senegal presidential elections.

July 2012 - President Macky Sall's coalition wins parliamentary elections.

August 21, 2012: Samori Touré, who led Mandinka resistance to the

French (1882-1898), sent men to work in French arsenals in Senegal,

using the knowledge gained to set up ammunition workshops, which

helped to sustain the fight.

September 2012 - MPs abolish the upper house, the Senate, and the post

of vice president in an effort to save money for flood relief. Critics say the

aim is to weaken the opposition.

December 2011 - Several people killed in attack on a military base in the

Casamance region.

July 20, 2012: The court Ruling In Dakar on Chadian ex-leader Hissene

Habre: ICJ rules Senegal must try ex-Chad leader immediately.

The International Court of Justice has ruled that Senegal must begin

proceedings to try Chad's former leader Hissene Habre "without delay".

Otherwise, he should be extradited to face trial in Belgium, the court's

legally binding ruling said. The 69 year old has been been under house

arrest since 2005 in Senegal, where he fled after being deposed. He

denies charges of killing and torturing tens of thousands of his opponents.

The charges relate from 1982, when Mr. Habre came to power in a coup,

until he was ousted in 1990. The UN's highest court has been investigating

whether he should be tried in Senegal or extradited to Belgium, after

Senegal previously refused four extradition requests. President Macky

Sall, who came to power in April, has indicated that he would be willing to

prosecute Mr. Hesene Habre in a special tribunal. Amnesty International

called on Senegal to abide by Friday's ruling by the ICJ. "This is a victory

for victims that's long overdue, and now it's high time the courts in

Senegal delivered justice," said Michael Bochenek, Amnesty's law and

policy programme director. Dubbed "Africa's Pinochet", Mr Habre was first

indicted in Senegal in 2000 - but the country's courts ruled at the time

that he could not be tried there. His alleged victims then filed complaints

under Belgium's universal jurisdiction law, which allows the country's

judges to prosecute human rights offences committed anywhere in the

world. In 2005, he was charged by Belgium with crimes against humanity

and torture. There have been years of wrangling in Senegal over what to

do about Mr Habre. The government of former President Abdoulaye Wade

changed its position on whether to try him several times - at one stage

demanding international funding for a trial. Last year, it unexpectedly

announced that it would repatriate Mr Habre to Chad, where a court in

2008 sentenced him to death in absentia for planning to overthrow the

government. This plan was stopped following a plea from the UN, which

feared he could be tortured on his return. The BBC's Mamadou Moussa Ba

in the Senegalese capital, Dakar, says unlike its predecessor, the

government of newly elected President Macky Sall has made it clear it

wants Mr Habre to be tried in Senegal. Legal experts from the African

Union are currently in Senegal to discuss how the trial could take place, he

says. Our reporter says Mr Habre and his wife keep a low profile in Dakar

and he lives in relative freedom - guarded by two security agents - and is

occasionally seen at a mosque for Friday prayers. A 1992 Truth

Commission in Chad accused Mr. Habre of being responsible for

widespread torture and the death of 40,000 people during his eight-year

rule. He was accused of carrying out a deliberate policy of terror to

discourage any opposition. Survivors of torture say that, among other

things, they were subjected to electric shocks, near-asphyxia and

"supplice des baguettes", when their heads were squeezed between sticks.

(Text ends)

February 15, 2013: US Wary Of Africa "Terrorist" Threat, Senegal Detains

Suspects'

Senegal has detained a Mauritanian and a Malian for suspected terrorist

links, its government said on Friday, and a top U.S. defence official called

for international teamwork to counter a growing presence of al Qaeda and

its allies in Africa. The United States and African governments are backing

a five-week-old French military campaign against Islamist rebels in

Senegal's neighbour Mali, calling it a blow against jihadists who threaten

attacks in Africa and elsewhere. After driving the bulk of the rebels from

north Mali towns such as Gao and Timbuktu, French, Malian and African

troops are pursuing the insurgents in the remote mountainous northeast

where they are thought to be holding French hostages. But the French are

struggling to secure the liberated areas from the threat of jihadist suicide

bombers and guerrillas who have struck at Gao, raising fears al Qaeda and

its allies could attempt reprisal attacks in the wider region. A Senegalese

justice ministry official said the Mauritanian and Malian suspects were

arrested this week by local gendarmes at Velingara, more than 600 km

(375 miles) southeast of the Senegalese capital Dakar. "They are in

custody for criminal conspiracy in collusion with terrorist organisations,

aimed at undermining the country's military situation and its economic

interests," Macoumba Mbodj, an adviser at the ministry, told Reuters.

Mbodj said an investigation was continuing and withheld further details.

He would not comment on Senegalese media reports saying the detained

Mauritanian was a member of al Qaeda who was trying to recruit young

men to fight in Mali. In testimony before the U.S. House of

Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee in Washington on Thursday,

senior U.S. officials said the threat posed by al Qaeda's North African wing

AQIM and allied groups extended well beyond Mali and would require long-

term international efforts to "neutralise". "This is part of a growing

terrorist presence in the region that threatens U.S. citizens, interests and

partners," said Amanda Dory, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence

for African Affairs. Senegal, which has sent several hundred troops to join

a U.N.-backed African military force for Mali that is still being deployed

behind the French advance, has tightened security on its southeast border

with its West African neighbour. France has said it wants to begin

withdrawing its 4,000 troops from Mali in March, but risks getting sucked

into a tough counter-insurgency war in its ex-Sahel colony. French

warplanes this week hit Islamist rebel bases and supply lines in Mali's

desert northeast, especially in the Aguelhok region, the French defence

ministry in Paris said. It said six buildings and a storage zone, as well as a

training camp of "terrorist groups", had been destroyed.

EXTREMIST "NETWORK" IN AFRICA: In her Washington testimony, Dory

pointed to an attack last year in Benghazi, Libya that killed the U.S.

ambassador and three other Americans, and to a deadly January raid by

jihadists on the In Amenas natural gas plant in Algeria. She said AQIM had

the ability to attack western interests, and target or kidnap westerners for

ransom. Dory cited danger from what she called "a network of violent

extremist organizations in Africa, from Egypt to Libya to Somalia to

Nigeria", describing a risk of "cross-fertilization and cross-pollination

between affiliated groups". "The threat is dynamic and evolving and our

efforts to counter it must be as well." U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for

African Affairs Johnnie Carson said the Mali intervention should be

accompanied by reforms to foster good governance and economic

development. "Terrorists prey upon fragile states," Carson said, and the

success of the French-led mission would be "fleeting without a democratic

and credible government that is responsive to the needs of Malians".

Mali's interim government, formed after a March 22 coup that mired the

nation in chaos and led to the north's occupation by rebels, said on

Thursday it would hold a presidential election on July 7, and legislative

elections two weeks later. Coup leaders have continued to meddle in state

affairs, increasing foreign calls for a legitimate civilian government. In

Mali's recaptured north, pro-autonomy Tuaregs - whose revolt last year

was hijacked by the radical Islamists - are demanding direct talks with the

central government in Bamako. Carson said that while there could be no

dialogue with groups supporting "terrorism", the legitimate political, social

and economic grievances of indigenous communities in northern Mali

should be addressed.

April 16, 2013: Police detain son of Senegal ex-president on graft charges

– Reuters’

DAKAR: Senegalese police arrested Karim Wade, the son of former

president Abdoulaye Wade, on suspicion of illegally amassing some $1.4

billion during his father's 12 years in office, his lawyers said.' Karim Wade

acted as right-hand man during his father's presidency of the poor West

African state from 2000 to 2012, which was marked by major spending on

infrastructure projects, including new roads and an airport. "They brought

him a summons and they forcibly took him away," said Demba Cire

Bathily, one of the lawyers for Karim Wade. "It was an arbitrary

arrest."Monday was the deadline for Wade to present proof of his

innocence after prosecutors accused him one month ago of illegally

amassing the assets. Karim Wade simultaneously held the post of minister

for infrastructure, international cooperation, energy and air transportation,

with a total budget equivalent to one-third of state expenditure. "We

presented 3,000 documents to prove the lawful origin of Karim's assets,"

said another of his lawyers, who asked not to be identified. President

Macky Sall, who wrested the presidency from Wade at an election in

March 2012, has promised to fight corruption and embezzlement in the

former French colony of 13 million people. Special prosecutor Alioune

Ndao had announced in November that Karim Wade and four former

ministers were being investigated on corruption charges. Karim Wade has

been banned from leaving the country, something which the ECOWAS bloc

of West African states has branded illegal.

April 17, 2013: Senegal's Karim Wade charged with corruption'

Updates: The son of Senegal's former President Abdoulaye Wade is in

police custody after being charged with corruption in connection with his

personal fortune. Karim Wade denies the accusations that he illegally

amassed about $1.4bn (£900m) during his father's rule. The 44-year-old

was a senior minister during his father's rule from 2000 to 2012, and was

in charge of major infrastructure and energy projects. Mr Wade is alleged

to have acquired several foreign firms by illicit means. He was arrested on

Monday, just hours after his lawyers submitted documents relating to his

assets to a courthouse. 'Minister of earth and sky' Prosecutors announced

an investigation into Mr Wade and five other former ministers last year. It

followed the defeat of Abdoulaye Wade in the March 2012 presidential

election by Macky Sall, who pledged to fight corruption. During Abdoulaye

Wade's 12-year rule, Karim Wade held several ministerial posts

simultaneously, including minister for infrastructure and air

transportation. His large portfolio led to him being dubbed "the minister of

the earth and the sky", but it also put him in charge of a large proportion

of Senegal's government budget at a time of large-scale infrastructure

spending.

April 17, 2013: Son of ex-Senegalese leader charged with corruption'

Updates: France24 - Karim Wade, the son of former Senegalese president

Abdoulaye Wade, was charged with corruption, following an investigation

into the $1.4 billion fortune he acquired during his father's rule. By News

Wires (text) The son of Senegal's former leader Abdoulaye Wade was

charged with corruption by detectives investigating his vast fortune,

valued at more than $1 billion, his lawyer told AFP. Karim Wade, who held

a number of cabinet posts during his father's presidency, "has just been

charged with illicit enrichment and placed in custody", said El Hadji

Amadou Sall. Wade is alleged to have acquired a number of foreign

companies and real estate by corrupt means, including Dubai Port World,

which runs the port container terminal in Senegal's capital Dakar and

Moroccan bank BCME. The 44-year-old's arrest on Monday came just

hours after his legal team had filed a dossier of more than 2,000 pages in

response to an order from the anti-corruption court to explain the

provenance of assets allegedly worth over $1.4 billion (1.07 billion euros).

Wade, who was not present at the court, denies corruption and says his

vast fortune is entirely legitimate.

Local press said Wade was detained along with a number of alleged

"accomplices", including his former communications adviser, a

businessman, a manager of an airport ground support company and an

accountant. Local media said preparations were underway to send him to

Rebeuss, the main prison in Dakar. Officials from Senegal's anti-corruption

court on Tuesday set out the case against the former minister, a huge

operation involving the movement of money through front organisations in

tax havens across the world. "This is real financial engineering that has

been exposed, with frontmen and complex structures. We discovered key

sectors of the economy held by offshore companies based in Panama, the

British Virgin Islands and Luxembourg," said prosecutor Antoine Diome.

Wade denies corruption and his lawyers said Wednesday the prosecution

had violated anti-corruption procedures by circumventing the country's

high court and making public details of the investigation. The former

ruling Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS) accuses the regime of Macky

Sall, who defeated Wade's father in presidential elections last year, of

conducting a "witch hunt" against the PDS hierarchy since it came to

power. Sall, who won a resounding victory in a March 2012 poll marred by

violence over the octogenarian's efforts to seek a third term in office,

launched a number of audits into the finances of political rivals shortly

after his inauguration. Several leaders of the 2000-2012 Wade regime,

including his son, have been repeatedly questioned by police and judges

investigating allegations of "illegal enrichment". Karim Wade is also under

investigation in France following a complaint by the Senegalese

government over the alleged embezzlement of public funds, misuse of

corporate assets and corruption, according to a judicial source. After he

was last questioned by police in November, he was banned from leaving

Senegal along with six other officials from the former regime. (AFP)

April 17, 2013: Son of ex-Senegalese president held in probe of US$1b

assets – AFP’

Updates: The flamboyant "super minister" son of former Senegalese

leader Abdoulaye Wade was detained in Dakar as police investigated his

assets, valued at more than US$1 billion, his lawyer said. Karim Wade,

who held a number of cabinet posts under his father's presidency, has

been locked in legal battles with the current regime over his formidable

wealth, alleged to be illicit gains from his time in office. Wade, who was

arrested in his Dakar home on Monday, was "placed in custody at the

request of the prosecution", said one of his lawyers, Demba Cire

Bathily.Wade is alleged to own a number of foreign firms including Dubai

Port World, which runs the port container terminal in Senegal's capital

Dakar, Moroccan bank BCME and airport ground support company AHS.

His arrest came just hours after his legal team had filed a dossier of more

than 2,000 pages in response to an order from the nation's anti-corruption

court to explain how he had come by assets allegedly valued at more than

US$1.4 billion. Wade, who was not present at the court, denied the

allegations and said his vast fortune came legitimately from the firms he

owned as well as real estate and bank accounts. His lawyers have accused

special prosecutor Alioune Ndao of "inventing" the facts in the graft case.

"The regime is testing our resolve but the law is on our side," one of

Wade's lawyers said. The former ruling Senegalese Democratic Party

accuses the regime of Macky Sall, who defeated Wade's father in

presidential elections last year, of conducting a "witch hunt" against the

party's hierarchy since the new government came to power. Sall, who won

a resounding victory in a March poll marred by violence over the 86-year-

old's efforts to seek a third term in office, launched a number of audits

into the finances of political rivals shortly after his inauguration.

Son of Senegal's ex-president charged with corruption'

Reuters – Updates: April 18, 2013 - Senegalese prosecutors formally

charged Karim Wade, the son of the West African nation's former

president, with corruption and ordered him to be detained without bail, his

lawyer told Reuters. Wade, who was the most powerful figure in his father

Abdoulaye Wade's government, was arrested this week on suspicion of

illegally amassing $1.4 billion in assets via a network of shadowy holding

companies. "He has just been charged and will be detained," Demba Cire

Bathily, Wade's lawyer, told Reuters. The case brought has highlighted

efforts by President Macky Sall, who defeated Abdoulaye Wade in a tense

election last year, to crack down on corruption in the poor West African

state. Karim Wade simultaneously held the post of minister for

infrastructure, international cooperation, energy and air transportation,

with a total budget equivalent to one-third of state expenditure.

Prosecutors have accused Wade of having taken stakes in large sectors of

the economy, including firms involved in managing Dakar's port, providing

services at the current airport and building a second one outside the

capital. Prosecutors say the former minister has been linked to these firms

through a complex web of offshore companies based in locations including

Panama, the British Virgin Islands and Luxembourg. Wade's lawyers have

accused the new administration of a political witch hunt and claim they

can lawfully account for all of his assets.

Senegal wins case against ArcelorMittal’

The West African Newsletter - September 10, 2013: WAN understands the

arbitration panel of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris

has come out in favor of cancelling agreements signed in 2007 between

the Senegalese government and ArcelorMittal concerning the Faleme iron

ore mine in the north of the country because of the Indian steelmaker's

failure to honor its commitments.

SENEGAL- Karim Abdoulaye Wade in a corner?

The West African Newsletter (October 2, 2013) The former president’s

son Karim Wade, who has been in preventive custody since April 12, has

until October 14 to explain the origin of 28 accounts held in Monaco.

May 5, 2014: Not all peacekeeping requires peacekeepers, sometimes it

just requires patience and an offer the troublemakers can’t refuse. Such is

the case in Senegal where the government believes it has finally worked

out a peace deal with the MFDC (Movement of Democratic Forces of

Casamance) separatist rebels. This deal might actually work.

The MFDC unrest has been going on since 1982, has left over 5,000 dead

and made life miserable in Casamance an area that contains only about

four percent of Senegal’s 14 million people. The MFDC rebellion has been

low key but persistent, with a spike in 1992-2001 that left over a

thousand dead and caused a split in the MFDC. This sort of situation is

typical throughout Africa, where groups of armed men maintain control, or

at least freedom, in an area, often on a border. The central government

does not consider it worth the trouble and expense to deal with the

situation. Such was the case with MFDC.

Back in 2004 Senegal offered another amnesty for MFDC, after the rebels

agreed to clear landmines from the southern Casamance region and the

end a decades-old conflict. That did not work out. Hundreds of people

have been killed or wounded by mines in Casamance, a former tourist

attraction and fertile farming area bordering Guinea-Bissau and Gambia.

Economic activity in Casamance has been crippled by three decades of

separatist violence. MFDC demands more autonomy for the largely

Christian and animist population in Casamance. Most Senegalese are

Moslem but religious persecution isn’t what keeps the rebellion

going. MFDC quickly turned into a criminal gang, dominated by some of

the local smuggling groups. Most of the mines were planted by the MFDC,

either to discourage army or police patrols or as a form of extortion (local

villagers would not be told where the mines secretly planted around their

village was until they paid up). The MFDC no longer has much popular

appeal and the government peace offer has a lot of popular support in

Casamance.

April 26, 2014: Senegal ex-president Wade returns from exile’

(AFP) Abdoulaye Wade makes controversial return after two years in

France to support son facing corruption charges. Abdoulaye Wade,

Senegal’s exiled former president has made a controversial homecoming

with security forces on high alert, two years after he lost office in an

election marred by violent protests.

Wade, 87, who held power from 2000 to 2012, landed in Dakar late on

Friday, his first time in the West African nation since he moved to France,

Senegal's former colonial master, after a bitter defeat to arch rival and

current leader Macky Sall. His return - a show of support for his son

Karim, who is in custody on multi-million-dollar corruption charges - had

been delayed by more than 48 hours after his flight was grounded in

Casablanca on Wednesday. Wade has accused Sall's government of

"manoeuvring" against him by deliberately withholding permission for him

to land in Dakar in an attempt to disperse the supporters who had planned

to welcome him on his arrival.

"I understood a long time ago that Macky Sall did not want this day to

happen," he told AFP news agency in Casablanca on Thursday. Wade

finally left Morocco's largest city in the early evening on a private jet

which landed in Dakar around three hours later. Senegal has denied that it

was behind the delay, with government spokesman Abdou Latif Coulibaly

pointing to last-minute modifications to the flight plan which meant new

permits were required. Wade had been expected earlier in the day, and

his Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS) was planning a march from the

airport to its headquarters on his arrival. But the area around the airport

was sealed off by police and only a few senior PDS officials were allowed

to welcome Wade. The former head of state was due to deliver a speech

at a rally to be staged in defiance of a ban by the authorities at the party

headquarters, where a large crowd of supporters had been gathering for

several hours, surrounded by riot police. The announcement of Wade's

return has dominated headlines since the start of the week, with daily

newspaper Le Populaire splashing on "A Friday heavy with menace".

'State of high-alert' The media meanwhile described security forces as

being in a "state of high-alert" over the visit. Anti-riot police with shields,

helmets and batons, have been deployed across Dakar since Wednesday,

with protests banned over fears of "public disorder". Wade has said that

he will respect Senegalese security measures and does not intend to

destabilise the Sall government, but he has also vowed to press on with

his outlawed party meeting. "I'm not a man to start a coup d'etat, not at

my age... I have the fortune of being able to control my activists and

supporters," he told Paris-based television news channel France 24 on

Thursday. "They do what I tell them to. If I said 'go to the palace' they

would. But if I wanted that, I could make it happen without even coming

to Dakar."

Wade's son Karim, 45, whose wealth includes land in Dakar, a fleet of

luxury cars and media and finance companies operating across Africa, has

been on remand in Dakar for a year and is due to be tried in June.

Senegalese authorities accuse him of using corrupt means to acquire a

fortune of $246m when he was a so-called "super minister" in his father's

cabinet. The younger Wade denies corruption and says his wealth comes

legitimately from the companies he owns as well as real estate. The PDS

accuses the Sall regime of conducting a "witch hunt" against its hierarchy

since he came to power. (Text ends)

COUNTRY FACT FILE

Location

At western extreme of Africa

Official title of the state

Republique du Senegal (national)

The Republic of Senegal: owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders

it to the east and north.

Flag description:

Three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and red with a

small green five-pointed star centered in the yellow band; green

represents Islam, progress, and hope; yellow signifies natural wealth and

progress; red symbolizes sacrifice and determination; the star denotes

unity and hope. Note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia; the

colors from left to right are the same as those of neighboring Mali and the

reverse of those on the flag of neighboring Guinea.

Neighbours

Mauritania on N., Mali on E., Guinea, Guinea-Bissau on S., the Gambia

surrounded on three sides. Land boundaries; total 2,640 km. Border

countries; Gambia 740 km, Guinea 330 km, Guinea-Bissau 338 km, Mali

419 km, Mauritania 813 km.

Local division

14 Regions including Dakar

Government type

Republic - semi-presidential

Legislation chamber

Bicameral Parliament

Brief Political History:

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.

Form of State

Republic

Executive President elected on five-year term which is renewable once. A

multi-party republic with two legislative houses. The Senate 100 seats, 35

members indirectly elected, 65 members appointed by the executive

president. The National Assembly 150 seats, 90 members are elected in

direct popular vote, 60 members are elected in proportional

representation from party lists, members in both houses to serve for five-

year terms.

Executive branch

President, Prime Minister appointed by the President, Unicameral

Parliament. Separated by chief of State and head of Government.

President elected by popular vote to serve for five-year terms, eligible for

a second term. Head of Government to be appointed by the president with

the consent of National Assembly.

Former Rulers

1960 – 1981 Leopold Sedar Senghor

1981 – 2000 Abdou Diouf

2000 - Maitre Abdulaye Wade

April, 2012 – Current Macky Sall

Judicial chamber

Constitutional Court; Council of State; Court of Final Appeals; Court of

Appeals

Capital city

Dakar Altitude 40 mtrs/131 ft.

Geographic coordinates - 14.40N , 17.26W. Dakar lies at the western-

most tip of the African continent at the Cap-Vert (CapeVerdes) peninsula,

on the country's Atlantic coast. Derived from Ndakaaru, its first name as a

village. Founded in 1857 at Ndakaaru, which called later "Dakar".

Names of main towns

Thies, Kaolack, Saint Louis, Ziguinchor, Diourbel

Date of independence

4th April, 1960

Religions (Major)

Muslim 94% (Sunni), Christian 5% (mostly Roman Catholic), Traditional

beliefs 1%.

Main spoken languages

Wolof, French (official), Jola, Mandinka, various ethnic languages.

Currency unit

African Franc (CFA)=100 Centimes

Area in Km2

196,722.00

Country area comparison in Africa

35 out of 55 states

Demographic terms ;-

Average annual population growth rate 2.68 %

Birth rate 36.36 births per 1,000 population

Death rate 9.55 deaths per 1,000 population

Average life expectancy ; 59.38 years

Male 57.48 years ; Female 61.34 years;

Illiteracy rate (%)

Male: 41, Female: 58

Average per capita income

USD 1, 900

Population density

65.2/km2

Urban population (%)

42

Contributor groups (%)

Farming, Fishing: 16, Industry: 19, Social service: 65

Main Export Items

Groundnuts products, petroleum products, phosphates, fish

Economy is based on

Agriculture and fishery

Climate

Tropical; Hot & humid

Extremes;-

Lowest point; The Atlantic coast 0 mtr.

Highest point; Unnamed location (near Nepen Diakha) 581 mtrs.

Weather of the Capital city (Dakar) average annual temperature 23.60c.

Altitude 40 mtrs/131 ft

Hottest Month September-October 24-32oc.

Coldest Month January 18-26oc.

Driest Month April 1mm average Rf.

Measures

Metric system.

Time zone

GMT/UTC+0

Public holidays

January 1 (New year), April 4 (Independence), May 1 (labour day), All

Muslim holidays, Islamic holyday of Yamui-Ashura (10th day of the Islamic

new year), December 25 (X-mas), Christian holidays of Easter, Ascension,

All saints, Assumption.

Ethnic groups

Wolof 44 %, Pular 23 %, Serer 14 %, Jola 3 %, Mandinka 4%, Soninke

2%, others 9%, few Europeans and Lebanese 1%.

Topographic & Environmental concern

Low rolling plains cover most of Senegal rising some what in the S.E,

Swamp and Jungles are in S.W. Deforestation, overgrazing, overfishing

off-the Senegal Atlantic coast, desertification, soil erosion, wildlife

populations threatened by poaching. Environment: wildlife populations

threatened by poaching; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion;

desertification; overfishing.

Economic Overview;

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. Senegal still relies heavily upon outside donor

assistance, however. Under the IMF's Highly Indebted Poor Countries debt

relief program, Senegal will benefit from eradication of two-thirds of its

bilateral, multilateral, and private sector debt.

Industry

Agro-processing, phosphates mining, fish processing, construction

materials fertilizer production, petrol-refining, ship repair, mining i.e. iron

ore, zircon & gold.

Chief crops

Peanuts (chief export), millet, rice, corn, sorghum, cotton, vegetables :

cattle, poultry, pigs, fish.

Natural resources

Phosphates, Gold, Iron ore, Fish.

Land in use (%)

Arable land: 12

Grassland: 16

Forest woods: 20

Other: 52

Marine:

Coastline; 531 km.

Commercial Sea ports:-

Dakar, Ziguinchor, Kaolack

Development prospect;-

The European debt crisis and a slow global economy could weaken

demand for Senegalese exports, mainly phosphates, fish, cement and

gold. Remittances from emigrants, currently amounting to 10% of GDP,

could also continue to fall. Senegal's agricultural sector, despite grand

projects launched to boost food production, remains limited by insufficient

rainfall and high costs of production. The relatively low value of cash crops

such as peanuts, traditionally Senegal's main export crop, also hampers

growth.

Large infrastructure projects, such as Dakar's new $460m airport due to

open in 2012 and a new toll road linking Dakar with the suburbs and

secondary towns, have helped reduce unemployment, but there are

concerns over the quality of budgetary spending.

Senegal has mined phosphates for many years but is now looking to gold

and oil to improve its economic performance. Oil companies plan to drill

three wells in 2012, including two on blocks held by First Australian

Resources and one in a block of the joint Senegal-Guinea-Bissau zone held

by Ophir Energy and Noble Energy.

Gold projects offer the most immediate boost to export revenues. The

Sabodala mine in the southeast produced 4.5tn of gold in its second year

of production in 2010. South Africa's Randgold is developing the 60tn

mine at Massawa, but its processing demands cannot be met with the

country's current energy supply. The Oromin Joint-Venture Group plans to

begin production at the 44tn Golouma mine in 2013. Meanwhile, the gold-

producing region now hosts thousands of artisanal miners who have

joined the rush. Things are developing at a much slower pace for the

country's maiden iron-ore project. Global steel giant ArcelorMittal agreed

to develop the 750m tn iron ore mine at Falémé in 2007. Since then, the

company has not made many steps forward at the mine or with the

associated port and rail projects. In September, mining minister

Abdoulaye Baldé announced that he was starting judicial and other

proceedings to cancel the deal.