For Senegalese fishermen, Eid al-Adha is now a source of anguish, not a joyful occasion

THIAROYE-SUR-MER, Senegal (AP) — The upcoming holiday of Eid al-Adha should have been a joyful occasion for millions of Muslims in Senegal. But skyrocketing prices, record unemployment and growing inequalities have turned Tabaski — as the holiday is locally known — into a source of anguish...

On Eid al-Adha, Senegal's star sheep are for luxury, not sacrifice

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — When Cheikh Moustapha Seck, a 24-year-old sheep breeder from Senegal, speaks about his animals, his face lights up. “You need love and patience to work with the sheep,” said Seck, affectionately stroking the long neck of Sonko, his champion sheep, named...

Production starts at Senegal's first offshore oil project

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Production has started at Senegal's first offshore oil project, the Australian group Woodside Energy said Tuesday, as the country's new government eyes higher profits from natural resources. “This is a historic day for Senegal and for Woodside,” the...

Senegal's new prime minister criticizes French military presence in the West African country

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Senegal's new prime minister, who was freed from jail weeks before the presidential election earlier this year and propelled his party to victory, has criticized the French military presence in the West African country. Ousmane Sonko also criticized efforts by...

Boeing plane carrying 85 people catches fire and skids off the runway in Senegal, injuring 10

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — A Boeing 737 carrying 85 people caught fire and skidded off a runway at Senegal's main airport, injuring 10 people including the pilot, the country's transport minister said Thursday. Passengers were evacuated from the burning aircraft and some described...

Boeing 737 plane crashes off a runway in Senegal, injuring 10 people

The West African Sahel is becoming a drug smuggling corridor, UN warns, as seizures skyrocket

NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — Drug seizures soared in the West African Sahel region according to figures released Friday in a new U.N. report, indicating the conflict-ridden region is becoming an influential route for drug trafficking. In 2022, 1,466 kilograms, (3,232 pounds), of cocaine...

In some classrooms in Senegal, deaf and hard-of-hearing students now study alongside everyone else

PIKINE, Senegal (AP) — Mouhamed Sall stepped to the chalkboard with a glance and quick question in sign language to an assistant. Then he solved the exercise to the silent approval of his classmates, who waved their hands in a display of appreciation. Sall and three other students...

Senegal swears in Africa's youngest elected leader as president in a dramatic prison-to-palace rise

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Senegal inaugurated Africa's youngest elected leader as president on Tuesday, as the 44-year-old and previously little-known Bassirou Diomaye Faye completed a dramatic ascent from prison to palace within weeks. Hours later, Ousmane Sonko, the popular...

Senegal's popular opposition figure Ousmane Sonko is named prime minister in the new government