Statistics

Government: Parliamentary democracy, independent in 1960

Population: ~13 Million (2007)

Ethnic groups: over 50

Languages: 37

Official language: French

Full Bible: only 3 languages

Religions: There is freedom of religion. Islam: 90.8% Catholic : 4.4% Animist: 3.6% Evangelical Christian: less than 0.1%

History and Politics

Senegal is the westernmost country on the African continent, with an area of just under 200,000km2, similar in size to England and Scotland combined. Senegal is largely flat with a natural vegetation of dry savannah woodland.

Senegal and in particular, the Casamance region has had a bit of a chequered history. Like the majority of West African countries, Senegal was one of the countries divided off to the French at the Berlin Conference of 1884-85, as a resolution to the preceding 'Scramble for Africa' by all the major European countries. As can be imagined, none of the representatives included African delegates, and everything was done purely to limit the greed of the colonial countries.

Senegal was considered by France, as a territory, part of the mother country, with its populace as subjects. This was much the case until the 1950's when the potential independence of France's African colonies became a major issue. The leader of Senegal at the time longed for independence from France whilst promoting the idea of a strong federal union of all French territories in Africa. In the late 1950's he gained support from the leaders of present day Mali, Burkina Faso and Benin to form a single union, the Mali Federation. However, in a visit by General Charles De Gaulle, he offered these countries a stark choice - either complete independence from France or limited self government with a union still run by France. This frightened some of the delegates but not Senegal or Mali who continued to demand independence as a union rather than single countries. De Gaulle switched tack, and on 20 June 1960 Senegal and Mali became completely independent whilst remaining in the French union.

Senegal is a republic, with the president and 120 members of the national assembly elected every 5 years by universal adult voting. The political system is a multiparty democracy and a coalition called Sopi (Change) is currently in power, led by President Abdoulaye Wade's Parti Dmocratique Sénégalais (PDS). President Wade and Sopi maintain an unofficial but essential alliance with the Marabout leaders of Senegal's Islamic brotherhoods.

An understanding of Senegal's Marabouts and the power of the Islamic brotherhoods (confriéries) is essential in understanding Senegal. Whereas orthodox Islam holds that every believer is directly in touch with Allah, the traditionally hierarchical societies of West Africa find it easier to have religious leaders ascribed with divine power, providing a link between God and the common populace. These are known as Marabouts and are held by the disciples (talibés) as saints. The concept of brotherhoods - groups who follow the teachings of a particular Marabout - was imported from Morocco. The alliance between the brotherhoods and the government continues to be a major feature. The Parti Socialiste (PS) has relied on Marabout backing for at least 40 years. To keep the brotherhoods sweet, the government publicly reinforced the Marabouts' power and, behind the scenes, allowed them a completely free hand in the ground nut harvest.

Adapted with permission from the Lonely Planet guidebook The Gambia and Senegal, 2nd Edition ©2002 Lonely Planet Publications

The Casamance

The Casamance is the region of Senegal south of The Gambia; Ziguinchor is its main town.

The people of the Casamance have a long history of resisting the rule of outsiders. They have rejected slavery (both European and African), refused to accept France's colonial administration and have warred against the central government seeking secession.

A conflict that plagued the region for the 22 years originated from a pro-independence demonstration held in Ziguinchor in 1982, after which, the leaders of the Mouvement des Forces Démocratique de la Casamance (MRDC) were arrested and jailed. Over the next few years, the army clamped down with increasing severity, but this only galvanised the local people's anti-Dakar feelings and spurred the movement into taking more action. The MRDC's campaign of violence led to the killing of some 3,500 people. Its fighters were spread across the borders of The Gambia to the north and Guinea-Bissau in the south. The conflict came to an end in December 2004, when the government signed a peace deal with the rebels.

Adapted with permission from the Lonely Planet guidebook The Gambia and Senegal, 2nd Edition ©2002 Lonely Planet Publications

Religion in Senegal

Nominally, Senegal is predominantly (over 90%) Muslim. Despite the large majority, however, there are relatively few practising Muslims and, where Islam is practised it tends to be mixed with traditional (animist) beliefs. You will, however, hear the call to prayer from the mosques in Ziguinchor, several times a day, starting at dawn!

Animism

Animism is the belief that spirits inhabit objects and govern their existence. Certain objects, inhabited by spirits, are therefore considered sacred. An important characteristic of animism is the use of 'fetishes' - sacred objects or charms, sometimes known as "gri-gri" which are used to ward off evil or bring good luck. For example, some fishermen believe that a correctly placed "gri-gri" will protect them from disaster and ensure a good catch. "Gri-gri" are often worn, and may contain a verse from the Quran [Koran]. Christianity

The good news for Christians is that, at the moment, there is freedom of religion in Senegal. The wife of the president is a Catholic and there is widespread religious tolerance. The feeling, however, is that we need to make the most of this situation since, if a more hardline government is elected, this could all change.