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Senegal

https://www.idea.int/democracytracker/

August 2025

Senegal's anti-corruption reforms spark debate over presidential exemption

On 25 August, Senegal’s parliament approved anti-corruption reforms aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability. Key measures include restructuring the National Office for the Fight against Fraud and Corruption (OFNAC), to focus solely on corruption, with its reports submitted to the president and made public. The amendments also expand asset declaration requirements for senior civil servants to include a wider range of officials, lower the financial threshold for mandatory reporting, and mandate public disclosure of government audit reports. However, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye is exempt from these measures, a decision that has sparked sharp criticism from opposition leaders. They contend that presidential accountability is fundamental to fostering genuine transparency and protecting democracy. Critics warn that this exemption risks eroding public trust and raises serious concerns about the fair and consistent application of anti-corruption laws. 

Sources: Jeune Afrique, APA News, Voice of Africa, Africa News

July 2025

Senegal launches investigation into 2021-2024 political violence
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On 29 July, Senegal’s Justice Minister requested the country’s Public Prosecutor open an investigation into political violence between 2021 and 2024. During this period, at least 65 people are thought to have been killed and at least a thousand more injured in protests supporting then-opposition leader (now prime minister), Ousmane Sonko. While the previous administration passed a law purporting to grant a general amnesty for acts committed during these protests, the Constitutional Council ruled in April that the most serious violence, such as murder and torture, were not covered by the amnesty. The first summonses are expected in August, and the investigations are due to determine accountability for these types of violence and whether charges can be pursued against the perpetrators. Commentators warned, however, that the process may face significant legal and political challenges, including the loss or suppression of evidence.

Sources: Le MondeAmnesty InternationalInternational IDEADeutsche WelleAfrica News

May 2025

Senegal indicts five former ministers for corruption

In May, Senegal’s High Court of Justice (Haute Cour de justice) indicted five former government ministers on charges of embezzlement and mismanagement of Covid-190 relief funds. The ministers served in the previous government of former President Macky Sall and are alleged to have misappropriated millions of dollars intended for pandemic relief and public welfare in what has become one of the biggest corruption scandals in Senegal’s political history. Their indictment followed a National Assembly (Assemblée Nationale) vote earlier in the month referring the ministers to the court, which has a special jurisdiction to prosecute senior government officials. Close associates of Macky Sall have alleged that the cases are politically motivated but the government has insisted on the independence of the judicial process.

Sources: Radio France Internationale, Jeune Afrique, New York University School of Law

April 2025

Senegal suspends hundreds of media outlets

On 22 April, Senegal’s government ordered the immediate suspension of the activities of media outlets not in compliance with the country’s Press Code, citing the need to professionalise the sector. An evaluation carried out by the state regulator found that 381 of Senegal’s 639 media outlets were non-compliant. While recognising the need to regularise the media sector, which is disorganised and economically fragile, critics argued that the short deadlines for compliance are impractical and that the suspensions will exacerbate pre-existing financial and operational challenges. The suspension order follows several measures by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s administration that have strained the sector. These include reversing a decision to cancel media outlets’ tax debts, freezing some media companies’ bank accounts, and cancelling state advertising contracts.

Sources: The Media Foundation for West Africa, Sene News, Le Quotidien, Radio France Internationale 

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Global ranking per category of democratic performance in 2024

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Representation
66/173
Rights
79/173
Rule of Law
48/173
Participation
22/173

Basic Information

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Population Tooltip
18 077 573
System of government
Presidential system
Head of government
Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko (since 2024)
Head of government party
African Patriots of Senegal for Work, Ethics and Fraternity (PASTEF)
Electoral system for lower or single chamber
Parallel
Women in lower or single chamber
46,1%
Women in upper chamber
Not applicable
Last legislative election
2024
Effective number of political parties Tooltip
2,97
Head of state
President Bassirou Diomaye Faye
Selection process for head of state
Direct election (two-round majority)
Latest Universal Periodic Review (UPR) date
22/01/2024
Latest Universal Periodic Review (UPR) percentage of recommendations supported
92,86%
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Human Rights Treaties

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State Party State party
Signatory Signatory
No Action No action
United Nations Human Right Treaties
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
State Party
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
State Party
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
State Party
Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women
State Party
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment
State Party
Convention on the Rights of the Child
State Party
International Convention on Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families
State Party
International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance 
State Party
International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
State Party
International Labour Organisation Treaties
Forced Labour Convention
State Party
Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention
State Party
Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention
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Equal Remuneration Convention
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Abolition of Forced Labour Convention
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Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention
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Convention concerning Minimum Age for Admission to Employment
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Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention
State Party
Regional Treaties
African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights
State Party
in
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Performance by category over the last 6 months

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Representation neutral Rule of law
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Representation neutral Participation
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Global State of Democracy Indices

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Explore the indices
Representation
Representation
0
/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Rights
Rights
0
/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Rule of Law
Rule of Law
0
/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Participation
Participation
0
/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4

Factors of Democratic Performance Over Time

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