Senegal

Anticipation for Paris Olympics Amid African Hopes and Challenges The Paris Olympics aren’t grabbing big headlines in the continental press just yet. Enthusiasm will likely balloon once African athletes pocket some medals. Nevertheless, the talk of the town circles around the Olympics on Seneplus. The Senegalese news portal buzzes with "adrenaline rush," stating, "excitement is mushrooming in Paris (...) as about a hundred world leaders will grace the opening ceremony by the Seine." “Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye…

Alioune Diagne: Champion of Senegalese Art at the Venice Biennale Catch up with Alioune Diagne, the Senegalese artist chosen to represent his nation at the 60th Venice Biennale of Contemporary Art, running until November 24, 2024. This chat first aired on May 3, 2024. Esteemed across the African contemporary art scene and backed by the Parisian gallery Daniel Templon, Alioune Diagne unveiled a collection of 16 thought-provoking pointillist paintings in Venice. Titled "Bokk–Bounds" in Wolof, a term translating to "That…

Senegal in Turmoil: The Arrest of Amath Suzanne Camara In Senegal, the political landscape took a contentious turn on July 24, 2024, when notable opposition figure Amath Suzanne Camara found himself in handcuffs. The catalyst for his arrest was his vocal critique of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. Camara's detention brought the controversial law criminalizing insults against the head of state back into the limelight. Under this contentious regulation, offenders can face up to five years behind bars. "The arrest of Camara…

Niokolo-Koba Park Triumphs as UNESCO Removes It from "In Danger" List Niokolo-Koba Park Triumphs as UNESCO Removes It from "In Danger" List On July 24, UNESCO made a pivotal decision to take Niokolo-Koba Park off its "heritage in peril" list. This sprawling natural expanse in Senegal, famed for its unique biodiversity, had been marked as endangered since 2007. Souleymane Jules Diop, Senegal's ambassador to UNESCO, expressed profound joy, calling it "a genuine triumph" for the nation.…

Senegalese Families Seek Justice for Protest Victims: Call for U.N. Investigation In Senegal, families grappling with loss and wrongful incarceration from opposition protests spanning the last three years are demanding accountability. United under the banner of the "collective of victims of President Macky Sall's regime," these grieving individuals have made a collective decision to reach out to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. "Seeking truth and justice is our only recourse," said one member of the…

Senegal Gears Up for 2026 Youth Olympic Games with Private Investments While attending the Sport for Sustainable Development summit in Paris, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal made a significant appearance. As Senegal gears up to host the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in 2026, this event marked a historic milestone as Africa welcomes the Olympics for the first time. The stakes are incredibly high and both Dakar and Paris are counting on private investments to meet the challenges ahead. Dakar 2026 organizers are…

Senegal Fights for Food Sovereignty Amid Challenging Conditions Securing food sovereignty remains a formidable aspiration for Senegal. In Podor, located in northern Senegal, where nearly two-thirds of the nation's fertile land lies, the Agricultural and Rural Prospective Initiative (IPAR)—a think tank focused on agricultural strategy in West Africa—conducted an insightful report. The findings shed light on the massive fiscal setbacks endured by the agricultural sector annually due to insufficient equipment for proper crop…

A Fresh Leader Amid Nepotism Concerns in Senegal In Senegal, a notable shift has occurred. Sophie Nzinga Sy has been named as the new trailblazer for the agency dedicated to the promotion and development of handicrafts. Her appointment comes straight from the top, handpicked by the head of state. Curiously, Sophie happens to be the offspring of Yassine Fall, the current foreign affairs minister. This move hasn't gone unnoticed. Civil society is abuzz with whispers and murmurs. Critics are waving red flags, chanting about…

Prisoners' Hunger Strike in Dakar Prisoners' Hunger Strike Over Abuse Claims in Dakar In the vibrant heart of Senegal's capital, a desperate call for justice echoed from the confines of the Freedom 6 Penal Camp. On Friday, July 19, inmates embarked on a hunger strike. These prisoners are demanding a meeting with the Minister of Justice and an end to the brutality they allege is daily inflicted upon them by the guards. "We endure relentless beatings and aggression," declared one of the…

Senegal Faces Soaring Rental Prices: President Faye Calls for Action In Senegal's capital, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has urged the government to tackle the issue of skyrocketing rent and push for the development of social housing. Over the last two decades, rents have risen dramatically, making it increasingly difficult for residents to afford housing. Between 1994 and 2014, government figures show a staggering 256% increase in rental costs. This steep rise has turned affordable housing into a rare commodity,…