Senegal (country)

A

Executive and Legislature

Executive power is vested in a president. Following a popular referendum in December 2000, the president’s term of office was reduced from seven to five years, for a maximum of two terms. The president appoints the Council of Ministers, which serves as a Cabinet.

Legislative power in Senegal was vested in a unicameral National Assembly until January 1999, when a 60-member upper legislative chamber, the Senate, was created. Of the 60 Senate members, 45 are elected by legislators, and local, regional, and municipal councillors, 12 are appointed by the president, and 3 are elected by Senegalese nationals living abroad. The National Assembly has 150 members, elected for five-year terms, of whom 90 are elected from multi- and single-seat constituencies, and 60 are elected by proportional representation.

B

Political Parties

The Senegalese Socialist Party (PS) was formerly the largest political party and was in power from the 1950s until 2000. At the National Assembly elections of April 2001 a coalition of parties, the “Sopi”, gained 89 seats. The coalition comprises the Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS), and the Democratic League-Movement for the Labour Party. Other prominent parties were the Alliance of Progress Forces (AFP), the Socialist Party of Senegal (PS), and the Union for Democratic Renewal (URD). In 2007 the Sopi coalition was again victorious, taking more than 69 per cent of the vote and gaining 131 seats in the newly expanded (up to 150 seats) National Assembly.

C

Judiciary

The highest tribunal of Senegal is the Supreme Court of Justice, the members of which are appointed by the president. The High Court of Justice, appointed by the National Assembly from among its members, has the power to impeach the president. There are four assize courts situated in Dakar, Kaolack, St-Louis, and Ziguinchor, and courts of first instance in each region.

D

Local Government

For the purpose of local administration, Senegal is divided into ten regions, each with a governor appointed by the president and an elected local assembly. The regions are divided into 30 departments, each under an appointed prefect, and thence into 99 arrondissements.

E

Health and Welfare

There is only a basic health care system in Senegal. In 2004 there were 13,333 people per doctor and in 2007 the infant mortality rate was 60 deaths per 1,000 live births; 3.6 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product was spent on health care. Malaria and other tropical diseases are endemic. In response to a campaign by Senegalese women, female circumcision was outlawed in January 1999.