Dakar, Senegal - Background

Senegal, West Africa is the country that is the “Gateway to the African Continent”, rich in culture, art, and traditions, with six national parks and the home to 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. An important U.S. partner, promoting peace, security, and strong beliefs in ethnic and religious tolerance in Africa. Unfortunately, poor infrastructure, underinvestment, and outdated policies have led to very slow growth. US Agency for International Development Aid (USAID) has worked to create jobs, improve access to education and health care, strengthen democratic institutions, and develop the agriculture sector to increase production and income.

In the 14th century the English, French, Portuguese and Dutch all wanted Senegal. In 1815, France abolished slavery and began expanding inland and during the second half of the 19th century, they took possession of Senegal as a French colony. Finally, in 1959, the French colonies of Senegal and French Sudan were merged and granted independence in 1960 as the Mali Federation. About 40% of the population are Wolof, a group of nobility that are musicians and storytellers, where most of the country’s art and music began. Besides music and art, they are known for Negritude, a literary movement that was popular in the 1930-50s that emphasized African values and heritage. They also control much of the commerce, making for tensions between them and other groups.

Language? There are 39 languages spoken in Senegal, including French (the official language) and Arabic. The other 37 African languages are broken into two groups, Atlantic and Mande. Of course, we couldn’t tell the difference, and our lack ANY African words or decent French didn’t help.

Large Families? With up to FOUR wives being legal and accepted by Muslim culture, and there being little family planning, many have 5+ children (do the math that gives many man upwards of 20 children). The Senegal River provides much of the fishing that sustains the people. Unfortunately, with illiteracy more than 40%, unemployment very high, such widespread poverty, and food insecurity, Senegalese young people face very low chances of decent jobs and futures. The governments (since 1960) has invested heavily in infrastructure and that should help the economy and the job situation.

Islam is the predominant religion (95%) with 3 distinct brotherhoods (groups) of Muslims. The remainder 5% are Christian (mostly Catholic). Senegal covers a land area of almost 76,000 square miles with a population of over 18 million with 4 million people living in Dakar (a volcanic peninsula). Half of all Senegalese live in the countryside, although people continue to migrate to the towns, especially the capital city of Dakar. In the country there is approximately 5 people/sq mile (83 in some of the more crowded areas and over 3000 per square mile in the cities.

The country is very young, 40% under 15 years old, and 42% between 15-44 years old, leaving few over 45 (with a life expectancy of 61). Exports continue to be peanuts followed by cotton, salt and sugar.

The Socialist Party of Senegal ruled for 40 years until Abdoulaye Wade was elected president in 2000 (re-elected in 2007). Wade amended Senegal's constitution over a dozen times to increase executive power and weaken the opposition but he lost the next election to current President Macky Sall who is in his second term to end in 2024. As of recent times there is political unrest in Senegal with more than 200 political parties (I made the mistake of looking up the news TODAY, leading up to their next election https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/3/16/more-u…) with 20 political parties and lots of accusations related to corruption.Lue lisää