Politics in Senegal takes place within a presidential democratic republic. The President of Senegal serves as the head of state and the head of government, with concentrated executive power.
While legislative power is technically vested in both the government and the parliament, the parliament rarely introduces legislation or rejects government-proposed legislation.Thomas and Sissokho (2005.) "Liaison legislature: the role of the National Assembly in Senegal" Journal of Modern African Studies 43 (1). p. 106 Similarly, although the Judiciary is theoretically independent of the executive and the legislature, the executive branch seems to exert undue control over the judiciary.
Since independence, Senegal has oscillated between democracy and competitive authoritarianism. Senegal is one of the few African states that has never experienced a coup d'état or exceptionally harsh authoritarianism. Léopold Senghor, the first president after independence, resigned in 1981 and handed the presidency to his Prime Minister, Abdou Diouf.
Senegal became democratic around 2000, although political repression, attempts to overstay in power, and delays in parliamentary elections have occurred. Democratic backsliding occurred during Macky Sall's second term in office. The current president, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, was elected in democratic elections in March 2024, after a turbulent election cycle in which incumbent president Macky Sall tried to postpone the election.
Introduction
Political system The President is elected by universal adult suffrage to a 5-year term (previously, a 7-year term). The unicameral National Assembly has 150 members, who are elected separately from the President. The Socialist Party dominated the National Assembly until April 2001, when, in free and fair legislative elections, President Wade's coalition won a majority (90 of 150 seats).
The Cour Suprême (Highest Appeals Court, equivalent to the U.S. Supreme Court) and the Constitutional Council, the justices of which are named by the President, are the nation's highest tribunals. Senegal is divided into 11 administrative regions, each headed by a governor appointed by and responsible to the President. The law on decentralisation, which took effect in January 1998, transferred significant central government authority to regional assemblies.
Political culture The Socialist Party (PS) was the main political party for 40 years. Its dominance ended in March 2000, when Abdoulaye Wade, the leader of the Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS) and opposition leader for over 25 years, won the presidency. Under a 2016 amendment to the 2001 constitution, future presidents will serve for 5 years and be limited to two terms. Sall was the last president elected to a 7-year term.
President Wade advanced a liberal agenda for Senegal, including privatisation and other market-oriented reforms. Nevertheless, Senegal has limited means to implement ambitious ideas. Economic liberalisation is continuing at a slow pace. Senegal continues to play a significant role in regional and international organisations. President Wade has prioritised cordial relations with the United States.
Currently, about 72 political parties exist, most of which are marginal and serve as platforms for their leaders. The principal political parties constitute a multiparty, democratic culture and have contributed to the country's democratic transition. An independent media, largely free from official or informal control, also contributes to Senegal's democratic politics.
Wade's image as a constitutional democrat was tarnished towards the end of his mandate. When faced with internal dissent within his own party, his main opponent, Idrissa Seck, was arrested and accused of treason. Wade refused to hold presidential elections in 2006, arguing that there were economic reasons to hold the presidential and parliamentary elections simultaneously in 2007.
Initially, Wade's government had support from a broad range of groups opposed to the socialist government, but individual parties gradually distanced themselves and joined the opposition socialist party. In 2011, Wade attempted to amend the Constitution to allow him to run for another term. Opponents then protested throughout the Summer of 2011, while government supporters staged counter-protests. The crisis has deepened political rifts within the country, which has long been a rare example of stability in the region. After Senegal's Constitutional Court approved Wade's bid to run for a third presidential term, street protests broke out.
In March 2012, incumbent Wade lost the presidential election to Sall. In August 2017, the ruling coalition won a landslide victory in the parliamentary elections, securing 125 seats in the 165-seat National Assembly. In 2019, Sall was re-elected in the first round. In March 2024, Opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye won Senegal's presidential election against the incumbent party candidate, becoming the youngest president in the country's history.
Executive
Political parties and elections
Presidential elections
Parliamentary elections
Judicial branch The Court of Cassation is the highest court in the country, modelled after the Court of Cassation in France; its members are appointed by the president.
Administrative divisions
Senegal is subdivided into 13 regions (régions, singular – région):
Dakar, Diourbel, Fatick, Kaolack, Kédougou, Kolda, Louga, Matam, Saint-Louis, Sédhiou, Tambacounda, Thiès, Ziguinchor. Local administrators are all appointed by and responsible to the President.
See also
Government of Senegal
References