Latest Senegal News

France's military is being ousted from more African countries. Here's why

Dec. 20, 2024 00:17 AM EST

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — It's been a tumultuous month for France and its relationship with former colonies in Africa, as its influence on the continent faces the biggest challenge in decades. As Paris was devising a new military strategy that would sharply reduce its permanent troop...

Democracies across the globe are at a crossroads, as authoritarians seek to chip away at freedoms

Dec. 18, 2024 08:30 AM EST

In November, the world's most powerful democracy elected as its next president a man who schemed to overturn its last presidential election. A month later, South Koreans swarmed their legislature to block their president's attempt to impose martial law. The contrast sums up a year...

Senegalese artisans in the spotlight as they exhibit for the first time at a prestigious art event

Dec. 04, 2024 00:23 AM EST

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — For the artistic and cultural elites of Senegal, the monthlong Dakar Biennale of Contemporary African Arts is a celebratory moment. Every two years, hundreds of artists, curators and art lovers from across the world descend on the West African capital to...

Senegal demands answers as the West African country commemorates a French colonial massacre

Dec. 01, 2024 13:43 PM EST

THIAROYE-SUR-MER, Senegal (AP) — Biram Senghor regularly pays his respects at a military cemetery in Thiaroye, a fishing village near Senegal’s capital Dakar, bowing in front of a different grave each time. The 86-year-old has no way of knowing which grave belongs to his father,...

For the first time, France's Macron calls 1944 killings of West African troops by French a massacre

Nov. 29, 2024 02:16 AM EST

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday for the first time recognized the killing of West African soldiers by the French Army in 1944 as a massacre in a letter addressed to the Senegalese authorities. Macron's move, on the eve of the 80th anniversary of...

Interpol clamps down on cybercrime and arrests over 1,000 suspects in Africa

Nov. 26, 2024 09:47 AM EST

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Interpol arrested 1,006 suspects in Africa during a massive two-month operation, clamping down on cybercrime that left tens of thousands of victims, including some who were trafficked, and produced millions in financial damages, the global police organization said Tuesday. ...

Senegal's ruling party secures majority in parliament, paving the way for ambitious reforms

Nov. 21, 2024 14:11 PM EST

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Senegal’s ruling party, PASTEF, secured a resounding victory in the country's legislative elections, winning 130 of 165 seats, according to provisional results announced Thursday by the national vote counting commission. The win grants newly elected...

On board with Senegal’s navy as it searches for migrants on a popular but deadly route toward Europe

Nov. 19, 2024 16:45 PM EST

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — As dawn arrived off the coast of Senegal, navy commander Assane Seye scanned the horizon. He is captain of the Niani, one of three new patrol vessels tasked with patrolling waters off the West African nation in search of a rapidly growing number of vulnerable...

Senegal's governing party poised for parliamentary majority in boost for reform agenda

Nov. 18, 2024 12:43 PM EST

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Senegal's governing party is poised to win a parliamentary majority as main opposition leaders conceded defeat Monday in an election determining whether newly elected President Bassirou Diomaye Faye can carry out ambitious reforms he promised during his campaign. ...

Senegal votes in election that will decide if president can carry out the reforms he promised

Nov. 17, 2024 16:16 PM EST

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Polls closed in Senegal on Sunday for a parliamentary election set to determine whether the country’s newly elected president can carry out ambitious reforms. More than 7 million registered voters in the West African country were choosing 165 lawmakers in...