Alexis
Arieff
Analyst in African Affairs
Senegal, a small, semi-arid nation on West Africa’s Atlantic coast, has long been viewed as one of the region’s most stable democracies. Political trends under former President Abdoulaye Wade (in office 2000-2012) raised concerns among analysts and policymakers over possible democratic “backsliding,” particularly in connection with Wade’s attempt to win a third term in office in elections held on February 26, 2012. Popular anger over Wade’s candidacy sparked demonstrations and rioting, leading analysts to question Senegal’s stability and the potential for a free and fair vote. To many observers’ surprise, voting was peaceful, and Wade lost to opposition candidate (and former protégé) Macky Sall in a run-off vote held on March 25. Wade did not contest the results, instead calling Sall to concede. Sall was sworn in on April 2, becoming Senegal’s fourth president since independence in 1960. The election results and Wade’s concession were internationally hailed as a victory for democracy in an often troubled region.
The State Department refers to U.S.-Senegalese relations as “excellent.” U.S. bilateral engagement has increased in recent years. Bilateral assistance, estimated at $98.8 million in FY2011, is focused on public health, food security, democratic governance, economic growth, rural development, and military professionalism. In addition, the United States signed a $540 million Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compact with Senegal in 2009. The United States has viewed Senegal as an anchor of regional stability and a potential partner in combating transnational security threats, such as terrorism, narcotics trafficking, and maritime piracy. Senegal is a significant contributor of troops to international peacekeeping missions, and thousands of Senegalese peacekeepers have received U.S. training through the State Department’s Africa Contingency Operations Training and Assistance (ACOTA) program. During the later years of Wade’s presidency, senior U.S. officials expressed concerns over negative governance trends and over Wade’s decision to run for a third term, while Wade publicly objected to what he views as outside attempts to interfere in domestic politics.
Congress plays a role in guiding U.S. policy toward Senegal through its authorization, appropriation, and oversight of foreign assistance and executive branch policies. Some Members of Congress expressed concern regarding the decision to award Senegal an MCC compact in light of concerns over corruption and political trends under Wade. In the conference report accompanying P.L. 112-74, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012, appropriators directed the allocation of at least $50 million in development aid to Senegal, while also expressing concern over Senegal’s failure, to date, to bring to justice former Chadian president Hissène Habré, who lives in Senegal and has been accused of crimes against humanity.
Date of Report: April 11, 2012
Number of Pages: 16
Order Number: R41369
Price: $29.95
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Document available via e-mail as a pdf file or in paper form.
To order, e-mail Penny Hill Press or call us at 301-253-0881. Provide a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover card number, expiration date, and name on the card. Indicate whether you want e-mail or postal delivery. Phone orders are preferred and receive priority processing.
Analyst in African Affairs
Senegal, a small, semi-arid nation on West Africa’s Atlantic coast, has long been viewed as one of the region’s most stable democracies. Political trends under former President Abdoulaye Wade (in office 2000-2012) raised concerns among analysts and policymakers over possible democratic “backsliding,” particularly in connection with Wade’s attempt to win a third term in office in elections held on February 26, 2012. Popular anger over Wade’s candidacy sparked demonstrations and rioting, leading analysts to question Senegal’s stability and the potential for a free and fair vote. To many observers’ surprise, voting was peaceful, and Wade lost to opposition candidate (and former protégé) Macky Sall in a run-off vote held on March 25. Wade did not contest the results, instead calling Sall to concede. Sall was sworn in on April 2, becoming Senegal’s fourth president since independence in 1960. The election results and Wade’s concession were internationally hailed as a victory for democracy in an often troubled region.
The State Department refers to U.S.-Senegalese relations as “excellent.” U.S. bilateral engagement has increased in recent years. Bilateral assistance, estimated at $98.8 million in FY2011, is focused on public health, food security, democratic governance, economic growth, rural development, and military professionalism. In addition, the United States signed a $540 million Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compact with Senegal in 2009. The United States has viewed Senegal as an anchor of regional stability and a potential partner in combating transnational security threats, such as terrorism, narcotics trafficking, and maritime piracy. Senegal is a significant contributor of troops to international peacekeeping missions, and thousands of Senegalese peacekeepers have received U.S. training through the State Department’s Africa Contingency Operations Training and Assistance (ACOTA) program. During the later years of Wade’s presidency, senior U.S. officials expressed concerns over negative governance trends and over Wade’s decision to run for a third term, while Wade publicly objected to what he views as outside attempts to interfere in domestic politics.
Congress plays a role in guiding U.S. policy toward Senegal through its authorization, appropriation, and oversight of foreign assistance and executive branch policies. Some Members of Congress expressed concern regarding the decision to award Senegal an MCC compact in light of concerns over corruption and political trends under Wade. In the conference report accompanying P.L. 112-74, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012, appropriators directed the allocation of at least $50 million in development aid to Senegal, while also expressing concern over Senegal’s failure, to date, to bring to justice former Chadian president Hissène Habré, who lives in Senegal and has been accused of crimes against humanity.
Date of Report: April 11, 2012
Number of Pages: 16
Order Number: R41369
Price: $29.95
Follow us on TWITTER at http://www.twitter.com/alertsPHP or #CRSreports
Document available via e-mail as a pdf file or in paper form.
To order, e-mail Penny Hill Press or call us at 301-253-0881. Provide a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover card number, expiration date, and name on the card. Indicate whether you want e-mail or postal delivery. Phone orders are preferred and receive priority processing.
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