Senegal
As of February 2026, Senegal is navigating a significant political transition following the election of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye in 2024. While the country has a long-standing reputation as one of West Africa's most stable democracies, it is currently grappling with the aftermath of recent political violence and a complex legal landscape regarding civil liberties and "traditional values."
1. Political Transition and the Legacy of Violence
The new administration is working to address the fallout from the 2021–2024 period of unrest, which saw at least 65 deaths during protests.
The Amnesty Law Debate: In 2024, a general amnesty was passed to foster "national reconciliation." However, in April 2025, the Constitutional Council partially nullified it, ruling that serious crimes like murder and torture cannot be amnestied under international law.
Renewed Investigations: In late 2025, the Justice Ministry formally requested investigations into the 2021–2024 political violence to determine accountability for deaths and injuries.
Anti-Corruption Reforms: In August 2025, Parliament approved major reforms to enhance transparency, though critics have noted that the Presidency remains exempt from certain oversight measures.
2. Freedom of Expression and the "Digital War"
Senegal's media landscape, once highly independent, is currently facing "obstructed" conditions.
Crackdown on Media: Throughout 2025 and early 2026, journalists have continued to face arbitrary detention. In October 2025, the signals of 7TV and RFM were cut, and prominent journalists were arrested after interviewing a government critic.
Digital Violence Against Women: In late 2025, local and international journalist associations launched a campaign to end the "digital war" on women journalists, who face coordinated harassment, AI-facilitated abuse, and doxing.
Defamation Laws: Despite election promises, "false news" and criminal defamation laws remain on the books and are frequently used to pressure critical voices.
3. LGBTQ+ Rights and Religious Influence
Senegal maintains a strictly conservative stance on LGBTQ+ rights, heavily influenced by religious leadership.
Criminalization: Consensual same-sex sexual acts remain illegal under Article 319 of the Penal Code, punishable by up to 5 years in prison.
Zero Tolerance Policy: In early 2024 and again in 2025, high-level government officials reaffirmed that Senegal "categorically rejects" any move toward decriminalization. In July 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs banned a film screening on LGBTQ+ issues, citing national "laws and values."
Increased Penalties Proposed: There have been recurring legislative attempts (as recently as May 2025) to increase penalties for "unnatural acts" to up to 15 years, though these have not yet been fully adopted into law.
4. Women’s Rights and the Family Code
While women have strong political representation in the National Assembly, their personal rights are often constrained by traditional laws.
Political Parity: Due to a 2010 parity law, women hold roughly 41% of seats in the National Assembly following the 2024 elections.
Inequality in the Household: The Family Code still designates the husband as the "head of the family," granting men sole "marital and paternal authority."
Marriage Age: While there are recommendations to raise the minimum marriage age for girls from 16 to 18 to match boys, this reform has faced significant legislative delays as of early 2026.
5. Migration and Vulnerable Children
Irregular Migration: The Senegalese coast remains a primary departure point for migrants heading to the Canary Islands. In 2024 alone, nearly 1,000 migrants died at sea, leading to the 2025 validation of a "National Referral Mechanism" to support returning migrants.
The "Talibé" Children: Tens of thousands of children in traditional Quranic schools (daaras) are still forced to beg on the streets. Despite being classified as "human trafficking" under Senegalese law, prosecutions of teachers for these abuses remain extremely rare.