Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
UNDERSTAND SENEGAL
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Senegal Today
Senegal's February 2012 presidential elections were controversial: the Senegalese constitu-
tion prohibited a president from serving more than two terms, but then-sitting President
Wade amended the constitution in 2011 to enable him to run for a third term. Several youth
opposition movements contested the amendment. However, former prime minister Micky
Sall won, and Wade conceded the election to Sall. The smooth democratic transition was
heralded by many foreign observers as a sign of peace and stability.
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History
Senegal was part of several West African empires, including the Empire of Ghana (8th cen-
tury), and the Djolof kingdom, in the area between the Senegal River and Dakar (13th and
14th centuries). In the early 16th century, Portuguese traders made contact with coastal
kingdoms and became the first in a long line of 'interested' foreigners: soon the British,
French and Dutch jostled for control of strategic points for the trade in slaves and goods. In
1659, the French built a trading station at Saint-Louis; the town later became the capital of
French West Africa.
Dakar, home to tiny fishing villages, was chosen as capital of the Senegalese territory,
and as early as 1848 Senegal had a deputy in the French parliament.
Independence
In the run-up to independence in 1960, Senegal joined French Sudan (present-day Mali) to
form the Mali Federation. It lasted all of two months, and in August 1960, Senegal became
a republic. Its first president, Léopold Sédar Senghor, a socialist and poet of international
stature, commanded respect in Senegal and abroad. His economic management, however,
didn't match his way with words. At the end of 1980, he voluntarily stepped down and was
replaced by Abdou Diouf, who soon faced a string of mounting crises.
