Senegal
Republic of Senegal
Population
17.7M
GDP
$31.0B
Capital
Dakar
Government
Unitary presidential republic
At a Glance
Human Development
0.5
HDI (0-1)
Democracy
5.7
EIU (0-10)
Press Freedom
—
RSF score
Corruption
—
TI CPI (0-100)
Innovation
—
GII score
Happiness
—
WHR (0-10)
Senegal is one of West Africa's most stable democracies, with no history of successful military coups -- a rarity in the region. The 2024 election of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, a young opposition candidate who won from behind, marked a historic generational shift and reinforced Senegal's democratic credentials.
Dakar is a major diplomatic hub, hosting numerous international organizations and serving as a gateway to Francophone West Africa. Senegal is on the cusp of becoming a significant oil and gas producer, with the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim field (shared with Mauritania) beginning production. This promises economic transformation but also brings resource governance challenges.
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As Senegal, leverage your strong democratic credentials and peacekeeping record. You are one of the few West African states with an unbroken democratic tradition -- use this to build moral authority on governance issues.
Ally with France (though maintain healthy distance), the US, The Gambia, and Cote d'Ivoire. In ECOWAS, support democratic norms while showing understanding for Sahelian grievances about sovereignty and neocolonialism. On energy, advocate for resource sovereignty and the right of African nations to benefit from their own resources. Champion the Casamance peace process and conflict resolution through dialogue.
Foreign Policy
Senegal's new government under President Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has signaled a more sovereigntist foreign policy, reviewing French military basing agreements and seeking more equitable terms for resource extraction. Dakar maintains its commitments to ECOWAS and the African Union while pursuing greater autonomy.
Senegal has historically been a major contributor to UN peacekeeping and a strong supporter of multilateralism, the International Criminal Court, and human rights. It is a member of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Francophonie.