National Trade Data Bank ITEM ID : ST BNOTES SENEGAL DATE : Oct 28, 1994 AGENCY : U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE PROGRAM : BACKGROUND NOTES TITLE : Background Notes - SENEGAL Source key : ST Program key : ST BNOTES Update sched. : Occasionally Data type : TEXT End year : 1992 Date of record : 19941018 Keywords 3 : Keywords 3 : | SENEGAL SENEGAL BACKGROUND NOTES (JULY 1991) PUBLISHED BY THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS US DEPARTMENT OF STATE July 1991 Republic of Senegal PROFILE Geography Area: 196,840 sq. km. (76,000 sq. mi.); about the size of South Dakota. Cities: Capital--Dakar. Other cities--Thies, Kaolack, Saint-Luis, Ziguinchor. Terrain: Flat or rising to foothills. Climate: Tropical/Sahelian--desert or grasslands in the north, heavier vegetation in the south and southeast. People Nationality: Noun and adjective--Senegalese (sing. and pl.). Population (est. 1990): 7 million. Annual growth rate: 3%. Ethnic groups: Wolof 43%, Fulani (Peulh) and Toucouleur 23%, Serer 15%, Diola, Mandingo, and others 22%. Religions: Muslim 94%, Christian 5%, traditional 1%. Languages: French (official), Wolof, Pulaar, Diola, Mandingo. Education: Attendance--primary 60%, secondary 15%. Literacy--28%. Health: Infant mortality rate--78/1,000. Life expectancy--48 yrs. Work force (3.4 million): Agriculture--70% (subsistence or cash crops). Wage earners (250,000)--private sector 40%, government and parapublic 60%. Government Type: Republic. Independence: April 4, 1960. Constitution: March 3, 1963, last revised 1984. Branches: Executive--president (chief of state, commander in chief of armed forces). Legislative--National Assembly (single chamber with 120 deputies). Judicial--Supreme Court (appointed by the president from sitting magistrates.) Administrative subdivisions: 10 regions, 30 departments, 95 arrondissements. Political parties: 17 registered parties, including the Socialist Party (PS), the Democratic Party of Senegal (PDS), the People's Liberation Party (PLP), the Democratic League/Movement for a Labor Party (LD/MPT), and the Independence and Labor Party (PIT). Suffrage: Universal at 21. Central government budget (1988-89): $1 billion. Defense (1989): $96 million. National holiday: April 4, Independ- ence Day. Flag: Three vertical bands--green, yellow, red, with a green star centered in the yellow band. Economy GDP (1989): $5 billion. Annual growth rate: 6%. Per capita GDP (1988): $630. Inflation rate (1989): 2%. Natural resources: Fish, phosphate. Agriculture (22% of GDP): Products--peanuts, millet, sorghum, manioc, rice, cotton. Industry (24% of GDP): Types--fishing, agricultural product processing, light manufacturing, mining. Services: 54% of GDP. Trade (1989): Exports--$778 million: seafood, peanut products, phosphate rock. Major markets--France, other European Community, US, Communaute Financiere Africaine (CFA) zone. Imports--$987 million: food, consumer goods, petroleum, machinery, transport equipment. Major suppliers--France, Nigeria, Algeria, Thailand, US. Exchange rate: Floating rate fixed with French franc (FF)--franc 50=1 FF; 1989 average 315 F CFA=US$1. Economic aid received (1988): $566 million. US (1989)--$32 million. Membership in International Organizations UN and some of its specialized and related agencies, Non-Aligned Movement, Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Organization of African Unity (OAU), West African Monetary Union, Interstate Committee to Combat the Sahel Drought (CILSS), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), West African Economic Community (CEAO), Senegal River Development Organization (OMVS), Gambia River Development Organization (OMVG). PEOPLE Despite the rapid migration into cities and towns, some 70% of Senegal's population is still rural. In these areas, density varies from about 77 per square kilometer (200 per sq. mi.) in the west-central region to 2 per square kilometer (5 per sq. mi.) in the arid eastern section. Some 40,000 Europeans (mostly French) and Lebanese reside in Senegal, mainly in the cities. French, the official language, is used primarily by the literate minority. Most Senegalese speak Wolof, Pulaar, Diola, Mandingo, or other ethnic languages. HISTORY Archaeological findings throughout the area indicate that Senegal was inhabited in prehistoric times. Islam established itself in the Senegal River valley in the 11th century. Today, 94% of Senegalese are Muslims. In the 13th and 14th centuries, the area came under the influence of the great Mandingo empires to the east, during which the Jolof Empire of Senegal was founded. The empire comprised the states of Cayor, Baol, Oualo, Sine, and Soloum until the 16th century, when they revolted for independence. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to trade in Senegal, arriving in the 15th century. They were soon followed by the Dutch and French. During the 19th century, the French gradually established control over the interior regions and administered them as a protectorate until 1920, and as a colony thereafter. After 1902, Dakar was the capital of all of French West Africa. In 1946, a territorial assembly was elected by a restricted franchise and given advisory powers. These were gradually expanded and the franchise broadened in succeeding years. After the 1958 French constitutional referendum, Senegal became a member of the French Community with virtually complete internal autonomy. In January 1959, Senegal and the French Soudan merged to form the Mali Federation, which became fully independent on June 20, 1960, as a result of the independence and the transfer of power agreement signed with France on April 4, 1960. Due to internal political difficulties, the federation broke up on August 20, 1960; Senegal and Soudan (renamed the Republic of Mali) each proclaimed separate independence. Leopold Sedar Senghor, internationally renowned poet, politician, and statesman, was elected Senegal's first president in August 1960. After the breakup of the Mali Federation, President Senghor and Prime Minister Mamadou Dia governed together under a parliamentary system. In December 1962, their political rivalry led to an attempted coup by Prime Minister Dia. Although this was put down without bloodshed, Dia was arrested and imprisoned, and Senegal adopted a new constitution. Dia was released in 1974. Since assuming the presidency in 1981, Abdou Diouf has encouraged broader political participation, reduced government involvement in the economy, and widened Senegal's diplomatic engagements, particularly with other developing nations. Despite chronic economic problems tempestuous domestic politics that have, on occasion, spilled over into street violence, border tensions, and a nagging and occasionally violent separatist movement in the southern region of Casamance, Senegal's commitment to democracy and human rights appears strong as the republic enters its fourth decade of independence. GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL CONDITIONS Senegal is a republic with a strong presidency, legislature, independent judiciary, and multiple political parties. The president is elected by universal adult suffrage to a 5-year term. The unicameral National Assembly has 120 members, elected at the same time as the president. The Supreme Court, whose justices are named by the president, is the nation's highest tribunal. Senegal is divided into 10 administrative regions, each headed by a governor appointed by and responsible to the president. Senegal's principal political party is the Socialist Party (name changed from Senegalese Progressive Union in 1976 after having joined the Socialist International), founded in 1949 by Leopold Senghor and now led by President Diouf. The Socialist Party, which has governed Senegal since independence in 1960, has advocated a moderate form of socialism based on traditional African concepts but increasingly has encouraged private enterprise, including foreign investment. Leopold Senghor, was elected in 1960, and served continuously until his retirement in 1980. In accordance with the constitution, Prime Minister Abdou Diouf succeeded Senghor as president. Diouf was elected to a full 5-year term in his own right in 1983. The constitution, which previously restricted the number of political parties to four, was amended in 1981 to legitimize previously unrecognized parties. The number of parties now stands at 17, the majority of which participated in the February 1983 presidential and legislative elections. In these elections, the Socialist Party won 111 of the National Assembly's 120 seats, with the opposition split between Abdoulaye Wade's Parti Democratique Senegalais (PDS) (8 seats) and Cheikh Anta Diop's Rassamblement National Democratique (1 seat). The last national elections were held on February 28, 1988, when President Diouf was re-elected for another 5 year term. The Socialist Party retained 103 National Assembly seats, the PDS took 17. Principal Government Officials President of the Republic--Abdou Diouf Ambassador to the United States--Ibra Deguene Ka Ambassador to the United Nations--Claude Beckers Diallo Senegal maintains an embassy in the United States at 2112 Wyoming Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20008 (tel. 202-234-0540), and a mission to the United Nations at 392 Fifth Avenue, 9th floor, New York, NY 10018 (tel. 212-517-9030). DEFENSE Senegal has well-trained and disciplined armed forces consisting of some 12,000 army, air force, and navy personnel. The Senegalese military force receives most of its training, equipment, and support from France. The United States, Great Britain, West Germany also provide limited support. Senegal has participated in international and regional peace- keeping missions. The Senegalese contributed a 600-member battalion to the UN Interim Force in Lebanon and also dispatched a battalion to the Shaba Province of Zaire as part of the Inter-African Force assembled to counter dissident attacks against Kolwezi in 1978. In August 1981, the Senegalese military was invited into The Gambia by President Dawda Kairaba Jawara to put down a coup attempt. Most recently, Senegal contributed a 500-man contingent to the Persian Gulf coalition. ECONOMY Senegal's resource-poor economy is vulnerable to droughts, environmental degradation, and international commodity price fluctuations, and is heavily dependent on international donor assistance. Senegal is overwhelmingly agricultural, with more than 70% of the labor force engaged in farming. Peanut production accounts for half of agricultural output, and food crops, especially millet, rice, corn, sorghum, and beans, currently provide about two-thirds of the country's food needs. The government plans extensive exploitation of the Senegal River basin and the southern Casamance region through investment in agroindustry with the aim of moving Senegal closer to food self-sufficiency. In spite of problems, the fishing sector has become a bright spot on the Senegalese economic horizon. Export earnings reached about $209 million in 1988, and rewriting of the fishing code and greater efforts at surveillance of Senegal's coastline hold promise for increased revenues. Results from phosphate production, the third major foreign exchange earner, are promising. Production has increased and markets have expanded, and earnings have rebounded from the low world prices of 1987. Receipts from tourism, the fourth major foreign exchange earner, continue to climb. Since the early 1980s, President Diouf has pursued an ambitious reform program, undertaken with substantial donor help, designed to liberalize the economy by strengthening incentives to economic activity in the agricultural and industrial sectors and reducing the cost of government and improving its operations. After years of deteriorating productivity and export earnings, the economy stabilized as stringent monetary and fiscal policies have curbed demand, stabilized prices, reduced massive trade deficits, and narrowed the government budget deficit. Substantial rainfall over the past several years have resulted in good harvests and a rebound in real GDP growth, which averaged about 3.6% in real terms over the 1986-90 period--excluding 1988-89, when real GDP growth fell to less than 1% due to uneven rainfall, locust infestations, and civil disturbances. Although trade in the past 2 years has improved as a result of increases in world prices for Senegal's major export commodities, peanuts and phosphates, and lower world oil prices, Senegal's external debt continues to require nearly 22% of annual earnings from exports and services, even after debt relief is taken into account. In January 1990, the World Bank approved a fourth structural adjustment loan of $80 million for Senegal. Current adjustment efforts, building on the process begun in 1985, focus on improving private sector incentives, reducing the costs of production (especially labor and energy), which make Senegalese exports uncompetitive and simplifying administrative regulations; public sector resource management, reducing spending on civil service wages and on subsidies to parastatals; and minimizing the social costs of adjustment. On June 30, 1990, Senegal completed the second year of a 3-year $190 million enhanced structural adjustment facility program with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and is implementing stringent revenue enhancement measures and expenditure cuts in preparation for the third year of that program. Senegal seeks to attract foreign investment to hasten economic development. Under the provisions of the 1987 investment code, the former lengthy approval process has been eased, and capital and profits may be freely repatriated. Exoneration from duty on imports of capital equipment may be available up to 12 years depending on sector and location. The Industrial Free Trade Zone, a government-owned and operated free trade zone, offers liberal tax advantages and exemptions from customs duties for investors manufacturing for export. Direct US investment in Senegal currently is about $30 million, mainly in petroleum marketing, pharmaceuticals manufacturing, and mining. A US-Senegalese investment treaty has been ratified by Congress and is awaiting final formalities before it becomes effective. Economic assistance, currently about $600 million a year, comes largely from France, the World Bank, the IMF and the United States. Significant amounts of assistance also are provided by Canada, Italy, Japan, and others. Senegal has excellent infrastructure, including well-developed port facilities, a major international airport serving 24 international airlines, direct and expanding telecommunications links with major world centers, and a good road and railway system. FOREIGN RELATIONS Former President Senghor advocated close relations with France and negotiation and compromise as the best means of resolving international differences. To a large extent, President Diouf has carried on Senghor's policies and philosophies. Senegal long has supported functional integration among French-speaking West African states through the West African Economic Community, and has taken an active role in the Economic Community of West African States. Senegal has a high profile in many international organizations and was a member of the UN Security Council in 1988-89. President Diouf was chairman of the Organization of African Unity in 1985-86, host of the Third Francophone Conference in 1989, and will host the Organization of the Islamic Conference summit in 1991. Friendly to the West, especially France and the US, Senegal also is a vigorous proponent of more assistance from developed countries to the Third World. Senegal traditionally has had good relations with its neighbors; however, a number of problems have developed that include a maritime boundary dispute with Guinea-Bissau, the dissolution of the Senegambia Confederation in 1989, and ongoing border and ethnic conflict with Mauritania. Senegal is actively seeking a diplomatic resolution of these problems. US-SENEGALESE RELATIONS The United States maintains friendly relations with Senegal and provides considerable economic and technical assistance. President Diouf made his first official visit to Washington, DC, in August 1983 and has traveled several times to the US since then, most recently in the fall of 1990. As Senegal's third largest supplier, the United States exported $69 million in goods in 1989, about 7% of Senegal's total imports. For American businessmen, doing business with Senegal, the US Export-Import Bank provides export credits and guarantees, and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation provides investment insurance. US direct investment in Senegal is valued at about $30 million. Recent business developments include a US-Senegalese joint venture in a dairy and beef operation and exploration by the Dupont Company for titanium oxide. Since 1946, US assistance to Senegal has included capital and technical assistance and loans and donations of food under PL 480 (Food for Peace). The US Agency for International Development implements this assistance effort through financial stabilization; structural reforms; and projects the areas of agriculture, natural resource management, private enterprise, and health and family planning. US primary development objectives in Senegal currently are to promote a dynamic market economy, increase cereals production, and improve family health. The United States also has played a significant role in the highly successful battle against locust and grasshopper infestation and has provided emergency relief assistance to refugee populations. Total US bilateral assistance to Senegal in 1990 was $42 million. The Peace Corps in Senegal involves some 100 volunteers, engaged in forestry, health, and small business development. The cultural exchange program consists of three Fulbright professors and about 20-30 international visitor grants a year. Principal US Officials Ambassador--George E. Moose Deputy Chief of Mission--Prudence Bushnell USAID Director--Julius Coles Public Affairs Officer (USIS)--Robert Palmeri Defense Attache--Lt. Col. Stephan Mytczynsky, USMC Peace Corps Director--Bruce Cohen Political Officer--Michael Davis Economic Officer--Alice Dress Consular Officer--Bridget Burkhart The US Embassy in Senegal is located on Ave. Jean XXIII at the intersection of Ave. Kleber, (PO Box 49), Dakar.