History of Senegal in Timeline
Senegal, officially the Republic of Senegal, is a West African nation situated on the Atlantic coast. It borders Mauritania, Mali, Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau, and nearly encircles The Gambia. Dakar serves as its capital city, housing key economic and political functions. The Gambia River flows through the country, dividing its southern Casamance region from the rest.
1900: End of Widespread Enslavement
Between 1300 and 1900, approximately one-third of the Senegambian population was enslaved, primarily due to capture during warfare. This practice largely ended by 1900.
1914: Yoro Dyao's Leadership Ends
Yoro Dyao, appointed by Louis Faidherbe, served as chief of Wâlo (Ouâlo) from 1861 to 1914.
1915: Senegalese Troops under Australian Command
In 1915, over 300 Senegalese soldiers joined forces with Australian troops, preceding the anticipated arrival of Lawrence of Arabia and the capture of Damascus by Australian forces.
1940: Battle of Dakar
From September 23rd to 25th, 1940, the Allies launched an unsuccessful attempt to seize the strategically important port of Dakar and overthrow the pro-German Vichy French administration in the colony.
1953: Bahá'í Faith arrives in Senegal
The first Bahá'ís arrived in French West Africa, which would later become Senegal, in 1953.
November 1958: Senegal Becomes an Autonomous Republic
On November 25, 1958, Senegal attained autonomy as a republic within the framework of the French Community.
January 1959: Formation of the Mali Federation
Senegal and French Sudan merged in January 1959, establishing the Mali Federation.
April 1960: Signing of the Transfer of Power Agreement
On April 4, 1960, an agreement was signed to transfer power from France to the Mali Federation, paving the way for its full independence.
June 1960: Mali Federation Achieves Full Independence
The Mali Federation became fully independent on June 20, 1960, following a transfer of power agreement with France signed on April 4, 1960.
August 1960: Dissolution of the Mali Federation
Due to internal political challenges, the Mali Federation dissolved on August 20, 1960, leading to the separate declarations of independence by Senegal and the newly renamed Republic of Mali (formerly French Sudan).
August 1960: Léopold Sédar Senghor Elected President
In August 1960, Léopold Sédar Senghor, a proponent of African socialism, became the first president of Senegal.
1960: French becomes official language
Upon achieving independence in 1960, Senegal ratified French as its official language.
1960: Independence of Senegal
Senegal gained independence in 1960 and was recognized as one of the most stable countries in Africa.
1961: Introduction of Portuguese in secondary education
Portuguese was introduced in Senegal's secondary education system in Dakar in 1961 by the country's first president, Léopold Sédar Senghor.
December 1962: Attempted Coup by Mamadou Dia
Political tensions between President Senghor and Prime Minister Mamadou Dia culminated in an unsuccessful coup attempt by Dia in December 1962. The coup was suppressed without bloodshed, and Dia was apprehended and imprisoned.
1963: Senegal Petitions UN Over Border Violations
Senegal first appealed to the United Nations Security Council in 1963 due to persistent violations of its borders by the Portuguese military stationed in Portuguese Guinea.
1963: Peace Corps Begins Work in Senegal
The United States Peace Corps initiated its operations in Senegal in 1963, marking the beginning of a long-standing partnership focused on development assistance and cooperation between the two countries. Since then, over 4,000 Peace Corps volunteers have served in various capacities throughout Senegal.
1965: Second Petition to UN Over Border Violations
Senegal lodged its second petition with the United Nations Security Council in 1965 in response to the continuing border encroachments by the Portuguese military based in Portuguese Guinea.
1965: Restriction of Political Activity
Senegal's political landscape saw restrictions on activity when Senghor's party, the Senegalese Progressive Union, became the sole legal political entity in 1965, a situation that persisted until 1975.
1966: First Bahá'í Local Spiritual Assembly
Dakar, Senegal, elected its first Bahá'í Local Spiritual Assembly in 1966.
1968: Senegal Participates in World Constitution Convention
Senegal played a role in the historic convening of a World Constituent Assembly in 1968, marking the first attempt to draft a constitution for a global federation. Léopold Sédar Senghor, then-president of Senegal, was a signatory to the agreement that led to this groundbreaking event.
1969: Third Petition to UN Over Shelling
Following a shelling incident by Portuguese artillery in 1969, Senegal submitted its third petition to the United Nations Security Council, highlighting the gravity of the border situation.
1971: Fourth Petition to UN Over Border Violations
Senegal lodged its fourth petition with the United Nations Security Council in 1971 due to persistent border encroachments by the Portuguese military based in Portuguese Guinea.
1972: Final Petition to UN Over Border Violations
In 1972, Senegal submitted its final petition to the United Nations Security Council, signifying the culmination of years of border disputes and appeals for international intervention.
1975: First Bahá'í National Spiritual Assembly
The Bahá'í community in Senegal elected its first National Spiritual Assembly in 1975.
1975: Formation of Opposition Parties Allowed
In 1975, Senghor allowed for the creation of two opposition parties, signaling an easing of political restrictions.
1976: Operation of Opposition Parties Begins
The two newly permitted opposition parties, a Marxist party (the African Independence Party) and a liberal party (the Senegalese Democratic Party), commenced operations in 1976.
1979: Paris-Dakar Rally Begins in Senegal
The Paris-Dakar Rally, an off-road endurance race, was first hosted in Senegal in 1979.
1980: Senghor Announces Retirement
In 1980, Léopold Sédar Senghor made the decision to step down from politics.
1981: Abdou Diouf's Presidency Begins
Abdou Diouf assumed the presidency in 1981, succeeding Léopold Sédar Senghor.
1981: Transfer of Power to Abdou Diouf
Senghor formally handed over power to his chosen successor, Abdou Diouf, in 1981.
February 1982: Formation of the Senegambia Confederation
Senegal and The Gambia came together on February 1, 1982, to establish the Senegambia Confederation, albeit a short-lived union.
1983: Mamadou Dia's Unsuccessful Presidential Bid
Mamadou Dia, Senghor's former prime minister and political rival, contested the 1983 presidential election against Abdou Diouf but was defeated.
1986: Start of Baseline Period for Climate Change Projections
The years 1986 to 2005 serve as the baseline period for climate change projections in Senegal, providing a reference point for measuring future changes in temperature and rainfall patterns.
1988: Senegal Joins UN Security Council
Senegal took its place as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the first time in 1988, beginning a two-year term that ended in 1989.
1989: Mauritanian Refugee Crisis
A significant event impacting Senegal-Mauritania relations occurred in 1989 when an estimated 40,000 Mauritanians were expelled from their home country, with a large number seeking refuge in Senegal.
1989: Dissolution of the Senegambia Confederation
The Senegambia Confederation was dissolved in 1989, marking an end to the union between Senegal and The Gambia.
1996: Senegal Achieves Full Internet Connectivity
Senegal reached a significant milestone in 1996 by achieving full internet connectivity, which led to rapid growth in the information technology sector and related services, contributing to the country's economic development.
1997: Senegal Elected to UN Commission on Human Rights
In recognition of its commitment to human rights, Senegal was elected to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in 1997, a testament to its international standing in the field of human rights advocacy.
1999: Abdoulaye Wade Elected President
Abdoulaye Wade, an opposition leader, emerged victorious in the 1999 presidential election against incumbent Abdou Diouf. International observers deemed the election free and fair.
1999: Senate Established
In 1999, Senegal's government structure included a Senate, marking the beginning of this bicameral legislative period.
2000: Senegal Contributes to UN Peacekeeping Missions
In line with its commitment to international peacekeeping, Senegal deployed troops to participate in two United Nations missions in 2000. One battalion was sent to the Democratic Republic of Congo as part of MONUC, and another US-trained battalion was deployed to Sierra Leone for UNAMSIL.
2000: End of Abdou Diouf's Presidency
Abdou Diouf's tenure as president of Senegal concluded in 2000, marking the end of his four terms in office.
January 2001: Constitution guarantees access to education
The Constitution adopted in January 2001 guarantees access to education for all children in Senegal.
2001: Senate Dissolved
The Senate, which had been in place since 1999, was dissolved in 2001, returning Senegal to a unicameral parliamentary system.
2001: Presidential Term Changed to Five Years
The presidential term, initially set at seven years from independence, was modified to five years in 2001.
2002: Senegal Reaches World Cup Quarter-Finals
In 2002, Senegal's football team became one of the first five African teams to reach the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup, defeating the defending champions France in their opening match.
2003: African Charter of Human and People's Rights
Senegal signed the African Charter of Human and People's Rights at the African Union Summit in 2003.
December 2004: Peace Treaty Announcement
On December 30, 2004, President Abdoulaye Wade revealed his intention to sign a peace accord with the separatist faction in the Casamance region, aiming to resolve the longstanding conflict.
2005: Further Peace Talks Held
Additional peace talks took place in 2005 in an effort to find a lasting resolution to the conflict.
2005: Estimate of Senegalese Bahá'ís
The Association of Religion Data Archives estimated the population of Senegalese Bahá'ís to be 22,000 in a 2005 report.
2005: End of Baseline Period for Climate Change Projections
The year 2005 marks the end of the baseline period (1986-2005) used for climate change projections in Senegal, providing the most recent historical data for understanding long-term climate trends.
2006: Gum Arabic Exports Surge
Senegal experienced a significant economic boost in 2006 when its gum arabic exports surged to $280 million, making it the country's leading agricultural export. This natural product, derived from acacia trees, found a strong demand in international markets.
2007: Final Paris-Dakar Rally Held in Senegal
The last Paris-Dakar rally was held in 2007 in Senegal.
2007: Senate Reestablished
After a six-year hiatus, the Senate was reintroduced in Senegal in 2007, marking the start of the second bicameral period.
2007: Refugee population in Senegal
In 2007, Senegal had a population of approximately 23,800 refugees and asylum seekers, primarily from Mauritania, according to the World Refugee Survey.
2008: Senegal Ranks 12th on Ibrahim Index of African Governance
In 2008, Senegal secured the 12th position on the Ibrahim Index of African Governance. This index evaluates governance across various African nations, assessing their ability to provide essential political goods to their citizens. This ranking placed Senegal among the top-performing countries in the sub-Saharan region at that time.
2008: Paris-Dakar Rally Canceled
The 2008 Paris-Dakar Rally was canceled due to security concerns in Mauritania.
2008: World Refugee Survey
The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants published the World Refugee Survey in 2008.
2008: Presidential Term Changed to Seven Years
The presidential term was reverted to seven years in 2008, having been previously altered to five years in 2001.
2009: Freedom House Downgrades Senegal's Status
In 2009, Freedom House, an international watchdog organization, downgraded Senegal's freedom status from "Free" to "Partially Free." This decision was based on concerns over the growing centralization of power within the executive branch.
2009: Senegal's Ranking Adjusted to 15th
With the inclusion of North African countries in 2009, Senegal's 2008 ranking on the Ibrahim Index of African Governance was retroactively adjusted to 15th place. This change reflected the performance of the newly added nations, which influenced the overall standings.
2010: African Renaissance Monument Completed
The African Renaissance Monument, the tallest statue in Africa, was completed in Dakar in 2010.
February 2011: Senegal Severs Ties with Iran
In February 2011, Senegal made the decision to cut off diplomatic relations with Iran. This move was in response to allegations that Iran had supplied weapons to rebel groups involved in the Casamance conflict, leading to the deaths of Senegalese troops.
June 2011: Emergence of Opposition Movements
June 2011 saw the rise of several youth-led opposition movements in Senegal, including M23 and Y'en a Marre. These movements challenged the candidacy of then-President Wade in the upcoming election, arguing that he had exhausted his constitutionally allowed terms.
March 2012: Macky Sall Elected President
In March 2012, Macky Sall won the presidential election, defeating incumbent Abdoulaye Wade.
March 2012: Macky Sall's First Term Begins
Macky Sall's initial term as president commenced in March 2012, ushering in a new era for Senegal.
September 2012: Senate Abolished to Reduce Spending
In a move aimed at cutting government expenditures, Senegalese lawmakers voted to abolish the Senate in September 2012. This decision was projected to save an estimated $15 million.
December 2012: Peace Talks with Separatists
President Macky Sall engaged in peace discussions with representatives of the southern separatist group, the Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC), in Rome in December 2012.
2012: Pew demographic study on Muslims in Senegal
A 2012 Pew demographic study revealed that 55% of Muslims in Senegal were Sunni Maliki, 27% non-denominational, and 92% belonged to a Sufi order.
2012: Senate Abolished
Senegal's Senate was once again abolished in 2012, reverting the legislative body back to a unicameral system.
2012: Senegal's Ranking Declines to 16th
Senegal's position on the Ibrahim Index of African Governance further declined to 16th place in 2012 out of 52 African countries. This drop suggested a slight weakening in governance indicators relative to other nations included in the index.
2012: Macky Sall Wins Presidential Election
The 2012 presidential election in Senegal was marked by controversy surrounding the incumbent president's eligibility to run for a third term. Despite the disputes, the election proceeded, and Macky Sall of the Alliance for the Republic emerged victorious. The incumbent president accepted the results, facilitating a peaceful transfer of power.
2013: Pew Research Center Survey on LGBTQ+ Acceptance
A 2013 survey conducted by the Pew Research Center revealed that a significant majority (96%) of Senegalese believed that homosexuality should not be accepted by society, highlighting the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community in the country.
January 2014: Russian trawler Oleg Naydenov seized
In January 2014, Senegalese authorities seized a Russian trawler, Oleg Naydenov, near the maritime border with Guinea-Bissau for illegal fishing.
2014: Senegalese Men's Basketball Team Makes History
Senegal's men's basketball team achieved a historic milestone in 2014 by becoming the first African nation to reach the playoffs of the FIBA World Cup.
2014: Senegal Regains "Free" Status
Senegal's "Free" status was reinstated by Freedom House in 2014, indicating an improvement in democratic governance and a reduction in the concerns about the centralization of power that led to the previous downgrade.
2015: Senegal Rejoins UN Security Council
Senegal began its second term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 2015, a two-year term that reflected the country's continued engagement in international peace and security issues.
2015: Senegal Joins Saudi-Led Intervention in Yemen
Senegal joined a Saudi Arabian-led military coalition in 2015, participating in the intervention in Yemen against the Houthi rebels. This decision marked Senegal's involvement in a complex regional conflict.
2016: Presidential Term Changed to Five Years
The duration of the presidential term was revised in 2016, reducing it from seven to five years.
2016: Life expectancy in Senegal
In 2016, life expectancy at birth in Senegal was estimated to be 66.8 years (64.7 years for males and 68.7 years for females).
2016: NBA Launches Elite's Academy in Senegal
In 2016, the NBA chose Senegal as the location for its first Elite's Academy in Africa.
2016: Senegal Concludes UN Security Council Term
Senegal concluded its second term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 2016, having served for two years on the council.
August 2017: Ruling Party Wins Parliamentary Election
August 2017 marked a significant victory for the ruling party in Senegal's parliamentary election. President Macky Sall's coalition secured a commanding majority, winning 125 out of the 165 seats in the National Assembly.
2018: Senegal Qualifies for FIFA World Cup
Senegal qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
February 2019: Macky Sall's Second Term Begins
Following his re-election, Macky Sall embarked on his second term as president in February 2019.
2019: Senegal's Forest Landscape Integrity Index Score
In 2019, Senegal obtained a mean score of 7.11 out of 10 on the Forest Landscape Integrity Index, securing a global ranking of 56th out of 172 countries. This score reflects the country's performance in maintaining forest health and natural landscapes.
2019: Ethnic groups in Senegal
In 2019, the CIA World Factbook estimated the ethnic groups in Senegal to be Wolof (39%), Fula (27.5%), Serer (16%), Mandinka (4.9%), Jola (4.2%), Soninke (2.4%), and others (5.4%).
2019: Macky Sall Re-elected
President Macky Sall secured a second term in office by winning the 2019 presidential election in a landslide victory during the first round of voting, demonstrating his continued popularity and the confidence of the Senegalese electorate.
2019: Macky Sall Re-elected
President Macky Sall secured re-election for another term in 2019.
2019: Senegal Finishes Second in Africa Cup of Nations
Senegal's national football team was the runner-up in the Africa Cup of Nations in 2019.
2019: Record Attendance at FIBA Women's AfroBasket in Senegal
The 2019 FIBA Women's AfroBasket, hosted in Senegal, saw a record attendance of 15,000 fans at the Dakar Arena, highlighting the country's passion for basketball.
March 2020: COVID-19 pandemic reaches Senegal
The COVID-19 pandemic reached Senegal in March 2020, leading to the implementation of a curfew.
April 2020: Senegal's energy sector report
In April 2020, the International Energy Agency reported that Senegal had an installed energy capacity of 1431 megawatts, with nearly 70% of the country connected to the national grid.
November 2020: Aïssata Tall Sall Becomes Foreign Minister
Aïssata Tall Sall assumed the position of Foreign Minister of Senegal in November 2020, bringing her experience and expertise to lead the country's foreign policy agenda.
2020: Senegal's Main Export Markets
As of 2020, Senegal's primary export destinations were Mali, Switzerland, and India, accounting for 20.4%, 12.2%, and 8.3% of its total exports, respectively.
March 2021: Mass Protests Erupt in Senegal
Beginning on March 3, 2021, widespread protests engulfed Senegal in reaction to the apprehension of Ousmane Sonko. The protests were sparked by allegations of rape against Sonko and concerns over the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
June 2021: Launch of SunuCMU healthcare website
Senegal's Agency for Universal Health launched the SunuCMU website (sunucmu.com) in June 2021 to streamline healthcare services in the country.
July 2021: Significant increase in COVID-19 cases
Senegal experienced a significant surge in coronavirus cases in July 2021.
2022: Religion in Senegal
Data about religion in Senegal was estimated in 2022.
2022: French speakers in Senegal
In 2022, it was estimated that 26% of the Senegalese population spoke French.
2022: Senegal Wins Africa Cup of Nations
The Senegalese national football team won the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in 2022, having been runners-up in 2002 and 2019.
June 2023: Escalation of Protests
The protests that had begun in March 2021 intensified in June 2023, with Amnesty International reporting 23 fatalities, primarily attributed to gunfire from police and their armed allies, highlighting a significant escalation in the use of force.
2023: Senegal's Ranking in Electoral Democracy
In 2023, Senegal ranked 52nd worldwide and 4th in Africa in the V-Dem Democracy Indices for electoral democracy.
March 2024: Bassirou Diomaye Faye Elected President
In a historic victory, opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye won the presidential election in March 2024, becoming the youngest president in Senegal's history.
April 2024: Bassirou Diomaye Faye Sworn In
Bassirou Diomaye Faye took the oath of office, becoming Senegal's new president in April 2024, marking the start of his term and a transition of leadership following the successful two-term presidency of Macky Sall.
2024: Bassirou Diomaye Faye's Term Begins
Bassirou Diomaye Faye was inaugurated as president on March 25, 2024, marking the start of his tenure as the fifth democratically elected leader of Senegal.
2024: King of Morocco Attends Faye's Inauguration
In a gesture highlighting the positive relations between Morocco and Senegal, the King of Morocco attended the swearing-in ceremony of Senegal's new president, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, in 2024.
2026: Senegal to Host Summer Youth Olympics
In 2026, Dakar will host the Summer Youth Olympics, marking the first time an African country will host an Olympic event.