The World Factbook. Senegal. Skip to main content World Malaria 2014 Access Search Advanced search Navigation Language عربي 中文 English Français Русский Español Countries Senegal Map This map is an approximation of actual country borders. Statistics Contact information Madame le Représentant de l'OMS Diarra-Nama, Dr Alimata Jeanne BP 4039 Dakar, Senegal Telephone: +221 33 8695932 Facsimile: +221 33 8204314 afwcosn@who.int Country Office web site Regional Office web site Health profile WHO collaboration Collaborating centres Mortality and burden of disease Nutrition Risk factors Outbreaks and emergencies Yellow Fever in Senegal 1 December 2011 Features You are here: Quick Links Sitemap Help and Services WHO Regional Offices loading. The Pop Star and the President - By Tim Judah. There are multiple levels to politics in Senegal, one of the oldest -- and until recently, most successful -- African democracies.
There are the power plays and massive government projects reported on by the international media, but also a parallel system of religious affiliations, cultural networks, and tribal ties, little seen by outsiders. To understand the headlines, you need to delve into the latter. The big news this week is that Abdoulaye Wade, Senegal's geriatric president, is breathing a sigh of relief. The constitution says he can only run for two consecutive terms, but on Friday the constitutional court of this West African country ruled that this did not apply to him. It also decided that Youssou N'Dour, the global pop superstar and the country's greatest export, who had thrown his hat into the ring, was not eligible to run.
Wade has dismissed protests as "temper tantrums. " "Stalinist," scoff some, "Un-African" say others. N'Dour, of course, has been the joker in the pack. Africa’s Imperiled Democracy - Alfred Stepan and Etienne Smith. Exit from comment view mode.
Click to hide this space NEW YORK – The future of one of Africa’s oldest democracies is at stake in Senegal’s presidential election on February 26. The incumbent, Abdoulaye Wade, formerly a leading advocate for democracy, has, at almost 90 years old, become its gravedigger. Wade has been tinkering with Senegal’s constitution in dangerous ways ever since he was inaugurated in 2000. Of the 15 changes Wade made to the constitution, ten weakened democracy; the others were erratic, if not bizarre. In February 2007, Wade was re-elected as Senegal’s president amid opposition charges that the election had not been free and fair.
Last June, Wade attempted what would have amounted to a constitutional coup. Wade, recognizing this, tried to have the National Assembly amend the Constitution in his favor once again. Thanks to massive demonstrations, in which many popular artists played a role, Wade backed off. But Senegalese democracy can still be saved. "Senegal’s Resilient Democracy" by Alfred Stepan and Etienne Smith. Exit from comment view mode.
Click to hide this space DAKAR – Many commentators doubted whether democracy in Senegal, a country whose population is 95% Muslim, would survive its most recent presidential election, in which the incumbent, Abdoulaye Wade, sought a controversial (and only semi-legal) third term. But Senegal’s long-established democracy not only survived; it emerged strengthened. Why? First of all, Senegalese citizens, unlike Wade, were determined to stick to peaceful tactics. Under French colonial rule, elections were held in two, and then four, Communes of Senegal. Senegal’s democratic tradition deeply shapes ordinary people’s expectations. Democratic resistance worked, blocking the amendment and creating the possibility of defeating Wade’s run for a third term. In fact, a well-organized civil society and an independent press ensured that the results could not be rigged. In the crucial first round, only 35% of the electorate voted for Wade.