Co-funded by the Internal Security Fund of the European Union LET4CAP Law Enforcement Training for Capacity Building SENEGAL Downloadable Country Booklet DL. 2.5 (Version 1.1) 1 Dissemination level: PU Let4Cap Grant Contract no.: HOME/ 2015/ISFP/AG/LETX/8753 Start date: 01/11/2016 Duration: 33 months Dissemination Level PU: Public X PP: Restricted to other programme participants (including the Commission) RE: Restricted to a group specified by the consortium (including the Commission) Revision history Rev. Date Author Notes 1.0 18/05/2018 Ce.S.I. Overall structure and first draft 1.1 30/11/2018 Ce.S.I. Final version LET4CAP_WorkpackageNumber 2 Deliverable_2.5 VER WorkpackageNumber 2 Deliverable Deliverable 2.5 Downloadable country booklets VER 1.1 2 SENEGAL Country Information Package 3 This Country Information Package has been prepared by Elisa Sguaitamatti External contributor to Ce.S.I. – Centre for International Studies Within the framework of LET4CAP and with the financial support to the Internal Security Fund of the EU LET4CAP aims to contribute to more consistent and efficient assistance in law enforcement capacity building to third countries. The Project consists in the design and provision of training interventions drawn on the experience of the partners and fine-tuned after a piloting and consolidation phase. © 2018 by LET4CAP All rights reserved. 4 Table of contents 1. Country Profile 1.1 Country in Brief 1.2 Modern and Contemporary History of Senegal 1.3 Geography 1.4 Territorial and Administrative Units 1.5 Population 1.6 Ethnic Groups, Languages, Religion 1.7 Health 1.8 Education and Literacy 1.9 Country Economy 2. Political and Security Context 2.1 The Constitution of Senegal 2.2 Elections 2.3 Political Parties 2.4 Key Political Leaders 2.5 Media Landscape and Civil Society 2.6 Security Sector 3. Law Enforcement Structures and Actors 3.1 The Police 3.2 Other Security Forces 3.3 The Judiciary 4. Migrations and Human Rights issues 4.1 Internal and International Migration 4.2 Human Rights Situation 5. The UN and Senegal 5.1 The UN and Senegal 5.2 The West Africa-related UN Security Council Resolutions 6. The EU – Senegal Relations 6.1 A long-standing trusted partner 6.2 Consistent support and multi-layered cooperation 6.3 The EU – Senegal Dialogue on migration 7. Other regional organisations and Senegal 7.1 Multi-level forms of regional engagement 8. Other Practical Info 8.1 Local Customs Cultural Awareness 8.2 Medical Travel Recommendations for Senegal 8.3 Other Travel Info 8.4 Radio Transmissions 9. Useful contacts Sources Bibliography 5 1. Country Profile 6 1.1 Country in Brief Formal Name: République du Sénégal - Republic of Senegal Term for Citizens: Senegalese Previous formal names: Mali Federation (from 1959 to 1960), Area (sq km): 196,722 Senegambia (from 1981 to 1989) Capital City: Dakar Population: 15.5 million Independence: 4 April 1960, from France 7 1.2 Modern and Contemporary History of Senegal Early History system centered on groups of villages called “rural communities” Many African empires gained prominence in the region, the most that remain the basis of modern Senegalese democracy. Inspired important of which was Tekrur, a powerful trading state along the Senegal River that flourished between the 10th and 12th century, at by the romantic vision of Africa of Harlem Renaissance authors a time when the people of Senegal were in constant contact with and European ethnographers, Senghor exalted African culture. His North Africa. Arab and Berber caravans came regularly to trade contribution to the founding of the Organization of African Unity and arrived periodically as invaders looking for territories to (OAU) and Senegal and Gambia River Basin development conquer and convert to Islam. The groups residing in the region associations won him respect as an elder statesman. Although he sent slaves and gold North across the desert in exchange for salt was a practicing Roman Catholic, Senghor developed strong ties and weapons. In that time the legendary leader Njajan Njay with the Muslim brotherhoods, who supported him. Some founded the Jolof kingdom, which in the 16th century split into the Senegalese respected and revered him as the "Father of the Nation" competing Wolof states. even though they did not share his political views. Europeans began to arrive in the mid-15th century, beginning with the Portuguese and followed later by the French, English, and The Diouf’s Presidency Dutch. The Europeans competed intensely for Senegal’s lucrative Since independence from France in 1960, Senegal has avoided slave trade. Although they established a colony at this early date, military or harsh authoritarian rule and has never suffered a the French needed an additional two centuries to extend their successful coup d’etat. President Senghor exercised de facto one- dominion beyond their forts and coastal cities. They faced stiff party rule through the Socialist Party (PS) for nearly two decades resistance from African leaders throughout the country, with Islam after independence. Most political restrictions were lifted after or traditional kingdoms often becoming a rallying point against Abdou Diouf of the PS succeeded Senghor. From 1981 to 2000, French domination. In the 17th and 18th century, Senegal was his handpicked successor, Prime Minister Abdou Diouf, was known worldwide for three things: slaves, ivory, and gold, which chosen as President. On 14th November 1981, an important event attracted not only traders but also many pirates of class and repute. marked the desire to unite Senegal and The Gambia, which shared history and a long-standing ethno-linguistic heritage. They signed French colonial rule an agreement proposing to unite the two countries as the French colonial rule, as elsewhere in Africa, was primarily a Confederation of Senegambia. However, the agreement was system of political and economic exploitation. The French precipitated by an attempted military coup in The Gambia in July introduced the peanut to Senegal as a cash crop in the mid-19th 1981, while Gambian President Dawda Jawara was out of the century, and soon Senegal was France’s most profitable African country on a state visit. Fearing regional instability, the Senegalese colony. France typically ruled peacefully until African demands Army entered the country and suppressed the rebellion. After this for independence became too strong to ignore in the years failed coup, the two countries tried again to implement a following World War II. After World War II, France's relations confederation. Political integration was going faster than economic with some of its territories were marked by major colonial wars, a integration when the two governments decided to dismantle the crisis that resulted in the acceleration of the decolonization process confederation in 1989. During his time in office (Diouf served four in West Africa. In 1959, Senegal and the French Sudan decided to terms as President), Diouf encouraged broader political merge and form the independent Mali Federation, but it was not a participation, reduced government involvement in the economy, success, as soon both countries declared individual independence. and widened Senegal's diplomatic engagements, particularly with other developing nations. Domestic politics on occasion spilled Independent Senegal over into street violence, border tensions, and a never-ending On 4th April 1960, Senegal was proclaimed an independent nation. struggle with a violent separatist movement called Movement of The country's governing political party was the Senegalese Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC) in the southern region Progressive Union (Union Progressiste Sénégalaise, or UPS), of Casamance. which was founded in 1949 and led by Léopold Sédar Senghor. Separatist Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance The Senghor’s Presidency (MFDC) Senghor was elected Senegal's first President in August 1960, as The status of the Casamance, the southern portion of Senegal one of the leading figures of the independence movement, besides largely cut off from the north by Gambia, has always been a source being a highly respected French-language poet. His writings on of discussion from the moment when Senegal achieved negritude, a political philosophy that championed the strengths of independence. A degree of grievance about northern domination African ideals, remains important in contemporary African has long existed among Casamance inhabitants — given their political science. Senghor also instituted the beginnings of local distinct ethnic, cultural, economic, and historical configuration democratic rule in 1972 by establishing a political governance against the northern majority, and their geographic separation. In 8 the 1980s, this feeling of grievance gave rise to a small but death in office. On this occasion, Wade’s efforts were rebuffed by disruptive separatist group, the Movement of Democratic Forces of an unprecedented outburst of opposition from political parties, the Casamance (MFDC). Escalating in the 1990s, the MFDC has civil society activists, and young people. Stung by the response, maintained a low-intensity campaign of occasional attacks, mostly Wade withdrew the proposal. It was not long, however, before his on state and military targets. In 2000 President Wade came into self-assurance returned as Wade declared his intention to stand for office promising to end the conflict within his first 100 days in a third term in office, going back on an earlier promise not to do so, office, but this