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SENEGAL BACKGROUND NOTES (JULY 1991)
PUBLISHED BY THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
US DEPARTMENT OF STATE

July 1991

Republic of Senegal
PROFILE
Geography
Area:  196,840 sq. km. (76,000 sq. mi.); about the size of South Dakota.
Cities:  Capital--Dakar.  Other cities--Thies, Kaolack, Saint-Luis, Ziguinchor.
Terrain:  Flat or rising to foothills. Climate:  Tropical/Sahelian--desert or
grasslands in the north, heavier vegetation in the south and southeast.

People
Nationality:  Noun and adjective--Senegalese (sing. and pl.).  Population
(est. 1990):  7 million.  Annual growth rate:  3%. Ethnic groups:  Wolof 43%,
Fulani (Peulh) and Toucouleur 23%, Serer 15%, Diola, Mandingo, and
others 22%.  Religions: Muslim 94%, Christian 5%, traditional 1%.
Languages:  French (official), Wolof, Pulaar, Diola, Mandingo.  Education:
Attendance--primary 60%, secondary 15%. Literacy--28%. Health:  Infant
mortality rate--78/1,000.  Life expectancy--48 yrs. Work force (3.4 million):
Agriculture--70% (subsistence or cash crops).  Wage earners
(250,000)--private sector 40%, government and parapublic 60%.

Government
Type:  Republic. Independence:  April 4, 1960. Constitution:  March 3, 1963,
last revised 1984.

 Branches:  Executive--president (chief of state, commander in chief of
armed forces).  Legislative--National Assembly (single chamber with 120
deputies).  Judicial--Supreme Court (appointed by the president from sitting
magistrates.)

Administrative subdivisions:  10 regions, 30 departments, 95
arrondissements.

Political parties:  17 registered parties, including the Socialist Party (PS), the
Democratic Party of Senegal (PDS), the People's Liberation Party (PLP), the
Democratic League/Movement for a Labor Party (LD/MPT), and the
Independence and Labor Party (PIT).  Suffrage:  Universal
at 21.

Central government budget (1988-89):  $1 billion.

Defense (1989):  $96 million.

National holiday:  April 4, Independ- ence Day.

Flag: Three vertical bands--green, yellow, red, with a green star centered in
the yellow band.

Economy
GDP (1989):  $5 billion. Annual growth rate:  6%. Per capita GDP (1988):
$630.  Inflation rate (1989): 2%.

Natural resources:  Fish, phosphate.

Agriculture (22% of GDP):  Products--peanuts, millet, sorghum, manioc, rice,
cotton.

Industry (24% of GDP): Types--fishing, agricultural product processing, light
manufacturing, mining.

Services:  54% of GDP.

Trade (1989):  Exports--$778 million: seafood, peanut products, phosphate
rock.  Major markets--France, other European Community, US,
Communaute Financiere Africaine (CFA) zone.  Imports--$987 million: food,
consumer goods, petroleum, machinery, transport equipment.  Major
suppliers--France, Nigeria, Algeria, Thailand, US.

Exchange rate:  Floating rate fixed with French franc (FF)--franc 50=1 FF;
1989 average 315 F CFA=US$1.

Economic aid received (1988):  $566 million. US (1989)--$32 million.

Membership in International Organizations
UN and some of its specialized and related agencies, Non-Aligned
Movement, Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Organization of
African Unity (OAU), West African Monetary Union, Interstate Committee to
Combat the Sahel Drought (CILSS), Economic Community of West African
States (ECOWAS), West African Economic Community (CEAO), Senegal
River Development Organization (OMVS), Gambia River Development
Organization (OMVG).

PEOPLE
Despite the rapid migration into cities and towns, some 70% of Senegal's
population is still rural.  In these areas, density varies from about 77 per
square kilometer (200 per sq. mi.) in the west-central region to 2 per square
kilometer (5 per sq. mi.) in the arid eastern section.  Some 40,000
Europeans (mostly French) and Lebanese reside in Senegal, mainly in the
cities.  French,  the official language, is used primarily by the literate
minority.  Most Senegalese speak Wolof, Pulaar, Diola, Mandingo, or other
ethnic languages.

HISTORY
Archaeological findings throughout the area indicate that Senegal was
inhabited in prehistoric times.  Islam established itself in the Senegal River
valley in the 11th century.  Today, 94% of Senegalese are Muslims.  In the
13th and 14th centuries, the area came under the influence of the great
Mandingo empires to the east, during which the Jolof Empire of Senegal
was founded.  The empire comprised the states of Cayor, Baol, Oualo,
Sine, and Soloum until the 16th century, when they revolted for
independence.

The Portuguese were the first Europeans to trade in Senegal, arriving in the
15th century.  They were soon followed by the Dutch and French.  During
the 19th century, the French gradually established control over the interior
regions and administered them as a protectorate until 1920, and as a
colony thereafter.  After 1902, Dakar was the capital of all of French West
Africa.  In 1946, a territorial assembly was elected by a restricted franchise
and given advisory powers.  These were gradually expanded and the
franchise broadened in succeeding years.  After the 1958 French
constitutional referendum, Senegal became a member of the French
Community with virtually complete internal autonomy.

In January 1959, Senegal and the French Soudan merged to form the Mali
Federation, which became fully independent on June 20, 1960, as a result
of the independence and the transfer of power agreement signed with
France on April 4, 1960.  Due to internal political difficulties, the federation
broke up on August 20, 1960; Senegal and Soudan (renamed the Republic
of Mali) each proclaimed separate independence.  Leopold Sedar Senghor,
internationally renowned poet, politician, and statesman, was elected
Senegal's first president in August 1960.

After the breakup of the Mali Federation, President Senghor and Prime
Minister Mamadou Dia governed together under a parliamentary system.
In December 1962, their political rivalry
led to an attempted coup by Prime Minister Dia.  Although this was put
down without bloodshed, Dia was arrested and imprisoned, and Senegal
adopted a new constitution.  Dia was released in 1974.

Since assuming the presidency in 1981, Abdou Diouf has encouraged
broader political participation, reduced government involvement in the
economy, and widened Senegal's diplomatic engagements, particularly with
other developing nations.  Despite chronic economic problems tempestuous
domestic politics that have, on occasion, spilled over into street violence,
border tensions, and a nagging and occasionally violent separatist
movement in the southern region of Casamance, Senegal's commitment to
democracy and human rights appears strong as the republic enters its
fourth decade of independence.

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL CONDITIONS
Senegal is a republic with a strong presidency, legislature, independent
judiciary, and multiple political parties.  The president is elected by universal
adult suffrage to a 5-year term.  The unicameral National Assembly has 120
members, elected at the same time as the president.  The Supreme Court,
whose justices are named by the president, is the nation's highest tribunal.
Senegal is divided into 10 administrative regions, each headed by a
governor appointed by and responsible to the president.

Senegal's principal political party is the Socialist Party (name changed from
Senegalese Progressive Union in 1976 after having joined the Socialist
International), founded in 1949 by Leopold Senghor and now led by
President Diouf.  The Socialist Party, which has governed Senegal since
independence in 1960, has advocated a moderate form of socialism based
on traditional African concepts but increasingly has encouraged private
enterprise, including foreign investment.

Leopold Senghor, was elected in 1960, and served continuously until his
retirement in 1980.  In accordance with the constitution, Prime Minister
Abdou Diouf succeeded Senghor as president.  Diouf was elected to a full
5-year term in his own right in 1983.

The constitution, which previously restricted the number of political parties
to four, was amended in 1981 to legitimize previously unrecognized parties.
The number of parties now stands at 17, the majority of which participated
in the February 1983 presidential and legislative elections.  In these
elections, the Socialist Party won 111 of the National Assembly's 120 seats,
with the opposition split between Abdoulaye Wade's Parti Democratique
Senegalais (PDS) (8 seats) and Cheikh Anta Diop's Rassamblement
National Democratique (1 seat).  The last national elections were held on
February 28, 1988, when President Diouf was re-elected for another 5 year
term.  The Socialist Party retained  103 National Assembly seats, the PDS
took 17.

Principal Government Officials
President of the Republic--Abdou Diouf
Ambassador to the United States--Ibra Deguene Ka
Ambassador to the United Nations--Claude Beckers Diallo

Senegal maintains an embassy in the United States at 2112 Wyoming
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20008  (tel. [phone]), and a mission
to the United Nations at 392 Fifth Avenue, 9th floor, New York, NY 10018
(tel. [phone]).

DEFENSE
Senegal has well-trained and disciplined armed forces consisting of some
12,000 army, air force, and navy personnel.  The Senegalese military force
receives most of its training, equipment, and support from France.  The
United States, Great Britain, West Germany also provide limited support.
Senegal has participated in international and regional peace- keeping
missions.  The Senegalese contributed a 600-member battalion to the UN
Interim Force in Lebanon and also dispatched a battalion to the Shaba
Province of Zaire as part of the Inter-African Force assembled to counter
dissident attacks against Kolwezi in 1978.  In August 1981, the Senegalese
military was invited into The Gambia by President Dawda Kairaba Jawara
to put down a coup attempt.  Most recently, Senegal contributed a 500-man
contingent to the Persian Gulf coalition.

ECONOMY
Senegal's resource-poor economy is vulnerable to droughts, environmental
degradation, and international commodity price fluctuations, and is heavily
dependent on international donor assistance.  Senegal is overwhelmingly
agricultural, with more than 70% of the labor force engaged in farming.
Peanut production accounts for half of agricultural output, and food crops,
especially millet, rice, corn, sorghum, and beans, currently provide about
two-thirds of the country's food needs.  The government plans extensive
exploitation of the Senegal River basin and the southern Casamance region
through investment in agroindustry with the aim of moving Senegal closer
to food self-sufficiency.

In spite of problems, the fishing sector has become a bright spot on the
Senegalese economic horizon.  Export earnings reached about $209 million
in 1988, and rewriting of the fishing code and greater efforts at surveillance
of Senegal's coastline hold promise for increased revenues.

Results from phosphate production, the third major foreign exchange
earner, are promising.  Production has increased and markets have
expanded, and earnings have rebounded from the low world prices of 1987.
Receipts from tourism, the fourth major foreign exchange earner, continue
to climb.

 Since the early 1980s, President Diouf has pursued an ambitious reform
program, undertaken with substantial donor help, designed to liberalize the
economy by strengthening incentives to economic activity in the agricultural
and industrial sectors and reducing the cost of government and improving
its operations.  After years of deteriorating productivity and export earnings,
the economy stabilized as stringent monetary and fiscal policies have
curbed demand, stabilized prices, reduced massive trade deficits, and
narrowed the government budget deficit.  Substantial rainfall over the past
several years have resulted in good harvests and a rebound in real GDP
growth, which averaged about 3.6% in real terms over the 1986-90
period--excluding 1988-89, when real GDP growth fell to less than 1% due
to uneven rainfall, locust infestations, and civil disturbances.  Although trade
in the past 2 years has improved as a result of increases in world prices for
Senegal's major export commodities, peanuts and phosphates, and lower
world oil prices, Senegal's external debt continues to require nearly 22% of
annual earnings from exports and services, even after debt relief is taken
into account.

In January 1990, the World Bank approved a fourth structural adjustment
loan of $80 million for Senegal.  Current adjustment  efforts, building on the
process begun in 1985, focus on improving private sector incentives,
reducing the costs of production (especially labor and energy), which make
Senegalese exports uncompetitive and simplifying administrative regulations;
public sector resource management, reducing spending on civil service
wages and on subsidies to parastatals; and minimizing the social costs of
adjustment.  On June 30, 1990, Senegal completed the second year of a
3-year $190 million enhanced structural adjustment facility program with the
International Monetary Fund (IMF) and is implementing stringent revenue
enhancement measures and expenditure cuts in preparation for the third
year of that program.

Senegal seeks to attract foreign investment to hasten economic
development.  Under the provisions of the 1987 investment code, the former
lengthy approval process has been eased, and capital and profits may be
freely repatriated.  Exoneration from duty on imports of capital equipment
may be available up to 12 years depending on sector and location.

The Industrial Free Trade Zone, a government-owned and operated free
trade zone, offers liberal tax advantages and exemptions from customs
duties for investors manufacturing for export.  Direct US investment in
Senegal currently is about $30 million, mainly in petroleum marketing,
pharmaceuticals manufacturing, and mining.  A US-Senegalese investment
treaty has been ratified by Congress and is awaiting final formalities before
it becomes effective.  Economic assistance, currently about $600 million a
year, comes largely from France, the World Bank, the IMF and the United
States.  Significant amounts of assistance also are provided by Canada,
Italy, Japan, and others.

Senegal has excellent infrastructure, including well-developed port facilities,
a major international airport serving 24 international airlines, direct and
expanding telecommunications links with major world centers, and a good
road and railway system.

FOREIGN  RELATIONS
Former President Senghor advocated close relations with France and
negotiation and compromise as the best means of resolving international
differences.  To a large extent, President Diouf has carried on Senghor's
policies and philosophies.  Senegal long has supported functional
integration among French-speaking West African states through the West
African Economic Community, and has taken an active role in the Economic
Community of West African States.  Senegal has a high profile in many
international organizations and was a member of the UN Security Council
in 1988-89.  President Diouf was chairman of the Organization of African
Unity in 1985-86, host of the Third Francophone Conference in 1989, and
will host the Organization of the Islamic Conference summit in 1991.
Friendly to the West, especially France and the US, Senegal also is a
vigorous proponent of more assistance from developed countries to the
Third World.

Senegal traditionally has had good relations with its neighbors; however, a
number of problems have developed that include a maritime boundary
dispute with Guinea-Bissau, the dissolution of the Senegambia
Confederation in 1989, and ongoing border and ethnic conflict with
Mauritania.  Senegal is actively seeking a diplomatic resolution of these
problems.

US-SENEGALESE RELATIONS
The United States maintains friendly relations with Senegal and provides
considerable economic and technical assistance.  President Diouf made his
first official visit to Washington, DC, in August 1983 and has traveled several
times to the US since then, most recently in the fall of  1990.  As Senegal's
third largest supplier, the United States exported $69 million in goods in
1989, about 7% of Senegal's total imports.  For American businessmen,
doing business with Senegal, the US Export-Import Bank provides export
credits and guarantees, and  the Overseas Private Investment Corporation
provides investment insurance.  US direct investment in Senegal is valued
at about $30 million.  Recent business developments include a
US-Senegalese joint venture in a dairy and beef operation and exploration
by the Dupont Company for titanium oxide.

Since 1946, US assistance to Senegal has included capital and technical
assistance and loans and donations of food under PL 480 (Food for Peace).
The US Agency for International Development implements this assistance
effort through financial  stabilization; structural reforms; and projects the
areas of agriculture, natural resource management, private enterprise, and
health and family planning.  US primary development objectives in Senegal
currently are to promote a dynamic market economy, increase cereals
production, and improve family health.

The United States also has played a significant role in the highly successful
battle against locust and grasshopper infestation and has provided
emergency relief assistance to refugee populations.  Total US bilateral
assistance to Senegal in 1990 was $42 million.  The Peace Corps in
Senegal involves some 100 volunteers, engaged in forestry, health, and
small business development.  The cultural exchange program consists of
three Fulbright professors and about 20-30 international visitor grants a
year.

Principal US Officials
Ambassador--George E. Moose
Deputy Chief of Mission--Prudence Bushnell
USAID Director--Julius Coles
Public Affairs Officer (USIS)--Robert Palmeri
Defense Attache--Lt. Col. Stephan Mytczynsky, USMC
Peace Corps Director--Bruce Cohen
Political Officer--Michael Davis
Economic Officer--Alice Dress
Consular Officer--Bridget Burkhart

The US Embassy in Senegal is located on Ave. Jean XXIII at the
intersection of Ave. Kleber, (PO Box 49), Dakar.