Subject The African Continent

Section Travel countries, theoretical Tasks 4

Title Senegal
Wording The task is to study about Senegal, to consider how Senegal can
create more development, economically and socially and
understand what the main obstacles are, to understand the concept
of the special African socialism as promoted by president
Léopold Senghor, and to learn about the popular movements in
Senegal like Y´en a Marre.
Time 10 hours
Introduction

Senegal is situated in the western Sahel area south of the Senegal river, which has
given the country its name, and with a coastline to the Atlantic ocean. The capital,
Dakar, is laying at the most western point of the African continent. Senegal totally
surrounds the neighbor Gambia situated around another river, the river Gambia.

Senegal is known as the only west African country which has not experienced a
coup. This relatively stable situation is regarded as a big advantage of many
Senegalese as the country possesses only few natural resources.

The area around the two rivers, Senegal and Gambia, which provide access to the
inland, has been subject to many migrations and settlings throughout history since
prehistoric times. The eastern part of the area was part of the big Ghana empire
around year 1000 and influenced by the following big empires in the Sahel. There
have been local kingdoms like the Djolof kingdom in the 14th century. Since the 8th
century Islamic tribes from north and east, like the Berbers and the Almoravids, have
introduced Islam and made this a constitutional social factor in the area. Later on
Islam was used as cultural “glue” in the resistance against the European invaders.

The history of Senegal, together with Gambia, is greatly influenced by the history of
slavery. Portugal reached the area in the late 15th century, but it was soon challenged
by the Netherlands, France and Great Britain. They all established trading posts
along the coast, and the area became a major place for shipping slaves to the
Americas. France ended up with the control over the coastal areas and the trade in
strong competition with Great Britain and had to accept that Great Britain took the
control over Gambia.

The European slave trade and all its different consequences had a devastating effect
on the area. It is estimated that in the period from 1300 to 1900 one third of the
population in the area were enslaved and brought to the former West Indies and
North America. Slavery and slave trade existed before and also after the European
colonial powers, but they systematized and developed it to become a vital part of a
growing European economy.

From year 1850 France started to conquer the whole area of Senegal and met heavy
resistance, because it was an invader, and because it disturbed the local trade-upper-
class in the aftermath of the European slave trade. Thus Senegal became a part of the
French West Africa and became administratively close connected to France.
Port of Saint Louis is an old slave trade town on an island in northern Senegal. It can
be seen today and is on the list of cultural heritages of the world from UNESCO.

After the Second World War the liberation process started and Senegal had its
independency in 1960. Léopold Senghor, poet and politician educated in France,
became the first president and stayed so in 20 years. He promoted a kind of African
socialism. He claimed that collectivism was a part of African culture and has always
existed. He was widely respected and had a say internationally. He stopped as a
president in 1980 and a more market orientated rule took over. There have been
many governmental crises since then, but never a coup.

The current president has resided since 1999. He has been elected two times which
was what the constitution told. In February 2012 he tried to run for the third time,
which created demonstrations and protests, because many see this as just a go for
more money. The now known youth movement Y´en a Marre, started by rappers
and journalists, is in the front in these protests.

The relatively peace in governmental affairs has been challenged since the
independence by revolts in the region south of Gambia, Casamanca. There has been
a movement going for independency of Senegal, sometimes with armed fight,
sometimes with negotiations and ceasefire. There is still not achieved a final
agreement though there is relatively peace.

The sun and peace are our only resources, a Senegalese journalist has said and
express a wish about the outcome of the current political dispute. It is right that
Senegal does not possess big mineral resources, but it has developed some industry
in small scale. Agriculture, and production of groundnuts, is the main production
still, supplied with fishery and tourism.

Senegal is like the other West African countries very dependent on the market prizes
on their product. In the 1990es Senegal had big loans from the World bank and other
international donors followed by structural adjustment programs. The currency was
devaluated Senagal managed to stop the inflation, but for the population the
consequences have been a massive unemployment, and still the rate of absolute poor
is about 33%.
A diversity of different ethnic groups relatively integrated, a blend of religions with
Islam covering 90% of the population, a rich culture known for music, dance,
literature, griots (traditional story tellers) are parts of the brand internationally for
Senegal, and will probably be it in the future also. This will make a development of
the tourist industry possible. but it does not seem to solve the poverty problem.

The poverty problem in Senegal is not solved and many Senegalese migrate from the
rural districts to the towns, and many especially young men, the productive ones,
migrate to e.g. the Cap Verde islands and try this way to enter Europe for a better
future. This is not sustainable. Senegal has still a big debt to international donors,
and as a country dependent on donors the space for independent actions in economy
is limited.

Senegal is relatively active on the international stage and in international

organizations. It gives a lot of experience and education, and with peace and
cooperation on the national stage, it gives a kind of perspective.

Directive

Read the questions, find the necessary relevant sources and follow the directives.
Use more than one source to make your statements more valid, if possible.
Remember, that unless data is physical measureable, they are always subject to
discussion.
So you have to decide what is the relevant data, the correct data, the truth?

Make some short, written considerations about the following questions:

1. How can Senegal create more development, economically and socially? What
are the main obstacles, international and national, and what are the
possibilities/perspectives.

2. The concept of a special African socialism or collectivism has had many

promoters, like the president Léopold Senghor. What is the concept? What did
Léopold Senghor express about it, and why did it not continue as the ruling
political concept.

3. Can Senegal use its cultural potential to boost the social and economical level
of the population, or will it eventually be just an ethnic curiosity.

4. About the future: How will/can popular movements, like Y´en a Marre,
influence the development. What is the background for this? Will there be a
Senegalese “Spring”?
 5. Make a summary of the characteristics of the country as you see it.

6. Prepare and hold a good presentation for your team about Senegal.
Use different methods and products.

Files Suggestions for files:

Articles:

Senegal Profile – BBC news Africa, 11 January 2012

Peace Pact raises Hope in Senegal. From Africa Renewal, Vol.19 #1 (April
2005), page 14

Léopold (Sédar) Senghor (1906-2001 by Petri Liukkonen, 2008

http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/senghor.htm

"Y'en a marre", outraged rappers - Who are the leaders ? by Moussa Diop,
19/08/2011: http://www.rfimusic.com/news-music/outraged-rappers

“Y’en a marre!” call for the Senegalese revolution on February 26 posted by

Posted by Niel - O.T.R.O on 10/18/2011 at the global network: takethesquare:
http://takethesquare.net/2011/10/18/yen-a-marre-call-for-the-senegalese-
revolution-on-february-26/

Y’en A Marre and rap revolution in Senegal by Bukola Jejeloye, feb 28, 2012
http://blog.afropop.org/2012/02/yen-marre-and-rap-revolution-in-
senegal.html

http://www.economywatch.com
Films:
Senegal – Save the Casamance – movie
Senegal – Peace Corps Recruitment – movie

1. How can Senegal create more development, economically and socially?

What are the main obstacles, international and national, and what are the
possibilities/perspectives.
Senegal has come a long way since it is independency from France (1960). Until 2006 it
was considered as a country with big economical growth. Since 2006, the growth rate is
more stagnant, around 3,3% while the average is around 6% in sub-Saharan countries. In
spite of the fact, that Senegal’s economy shows development 46% of the population still
lives below the poverty line, most of them in the rural areas.
Senegal has big opportunities for improvement due to its political stability. The main
income sectors, where future developments could be the most beneficial: agriculture, fishing
 and phosphate mining. Today, the biggest export -24% of export- is oil and petroleum
products, shipped from Dakar the biggest harbor of the country. The main obstacles the
country faces with lack of money and poor infrastructure. One of the solutions could be if
the more developed, economically strong countries would support financially Senegal. Of
course it also needed that the help goes where it is needed. However, with a mainly
corrupted higher authority it can also face with difficulties.
Even though that there are many obstacles in front of Senegal’s economical booming, it is
slowly moving towards the right direction.
Although, looking at the social situation gives a very desperate impression. There are many
social problems in all kind of areas. The country has a very poor healthcare system, which is
showed by the high numbers of disease, viruses, and illnesses. There are more than 60000
people, who lives with HIV/AIDS. Many serious disease are everyday occurrence, like:
diarrhea, hepatitis A, Malaria, yellow fever, typhoid fever, dengue fever, rift valley fever,
rabies, etc.
Another issue that shows the underdevelopment of social system is the low levef of literacy
in the country. 39% of the population is undereducated and women take 29% of it. The
level of teenage pregnancy is also very high.
Going further from the fact that there is not enough water for agriculture, it becomes clear
that there is not even enough drinking water for the people.
There are different long-term plans for future improvements, but yet with a strongly corrupt
leadership changes do not come easily.

2. The concept of a special African socialism or collectivism has had many

promoters, like the president Léopold Senghor. What is the concept? What
did Léopold Senghor express about it, and why did it not continue as the
ruling political concept.
Léopold Senghor was the first president of Senegal for 20 years, after it got its
independency from France in 1960. Being a politician was not the only important role he
played in the country’s life. He was a poet and cultural theorist, one of those people who
believed in African socialism. His way of understanding upon African socialism was more
about a cultural vision. The idea of African socialism was different from ‘the socialism’,
that we well know from Europa. He stood for the theory that collectivism and common life
was an element part of African culture and put less emphasis on the economic structures of
the country. His idea contained anticommunism and conscious cooperation with the
“western world” –in case of Senegal especially with France- but devoid of capitalistic
ideology, egoism, selfishness. We could say that the African socialism’s idea is to create a
‘middle way’ between the eras’ two poles: The Soviet Union’s drastic socialism and the
western frigid capitalism. Both Senghor and his former Prime Minister shared the opinion,
that “African communalism rejects communistic violence and prefers to reconcile
differences through mutual consultation and co-operation. Rather than following the
examples of either communism or capitalism, both of which curtail freedom of thought and
art. African socialists must encourage the expression of a socialist humanism, sensitive to
original African conditions, a humanism safeguarding human spontaneity and traditional
cultural values.” (Andrain, C. F. (1964). Democracy and socialism: Ideologies of African leaders, p. 181).
The African socialism as a movement coincides with building up the nationalism, national
development after decolonization of the countries. In the different countries, the ideology
evolved in different ways. However, there are some overlapping features, similarities:
- combination of state ownership, an equitable distribution of wealth,
- increasing citizen well-being
- urgency conquering underdevelopment
- creating relevant noncapitalistic institution that helps the economic development
 - creating well-balanced social relationships of citizenship, which will establish cohesion
between people and the state.
Although, the main concept sounds promising, in practice, just part of it could come to
fruition and Senghor’s ideology stayed more just a “slogan”. It is mainly because of the lack
of economic stability, support, underdevelopment, etc. The idea died together with
Senghor’s position, which he resigned in 1980.

3. Can Senegal use its cultural potential to boost the social and economical
level of the population, or will it eventually be just an ethnic curiosity.
Senegal possesses very rich cultural background. Besides handcraft goods, literary work –
focused on the country's history, philosophy, morality, and culture-, films, glass painting,
jewelry making, carpets, clothing and performance of traditional dances, the main emphasis
is on music. The value of Senegalese music is also recognized by UNESCO. Looking at
music industry from a different perspective can make a difference both on social and
economical level.
In principle, music can sustain employment and contribute to export earnings. Furthermore,
add cultural vibrancy, raise social and individual confidence, unite people and enlarge
cohesion between the people of Senegal.
The economic and social development has requirements. First of all consideration of music
industry as an industry from the government’s side and support its improvement. Secondly,
the commoditization of music, which demands the proper infrastructure (quality
instruments, recording studios, national record companies, educate the future musicians and
managers, etc.) to sustain and ensure continued output and quality. Another element of the
process is to create the audience (consumers) on international level as well as on national –
create the market for music industry just as much as for any other industrial goods- with e.g.
developing the music tourism in Senegal, support musicians tourism abroad, organize music
festivals etc. Finally yet importantly, insure the income for the original creators (e.g.
overcome illegal piracy by promoting property rights management).
In my opinion, there is a big potential in Senegalese music industry, which can grow out of
the “ethnic curiosity” label with the proper support. However, it will not be a key sector of
the country.

4. About the future: How will/can popular movements, like Y´en a Marre,
influence the development. What is the background for this? Will there be
a Senegalese “Spring”?
Y’en a Marre (“had enough”) was a very popular movement created by journalists and
young Senegalese rapper. They stood up against the ineffective government, the high rate of
unemployment, the escalating food prices and against the 85-years old President, Abdoulaye
Wade, who tried to run for his position for the 3rd time in row –in the hope of money-.
“One of our first actions was called “1000 complaints to the Government”. Everyone had
their say, the farmers had a spokesperson, the women, the young etc. Y’en a marre was, and
is, not a movement for young people alone, it involves everyone who is concerned about this
country’s future.”
The reason behind the success of the movement, that these young musicians, enthusiastic
youngsters could move many people and make them to unity for a common goal. Music has
a very important role in Senegal’s life and it has a lot of erector power.
About a ‘Senegalese Spring”, to my mind there is not such a big chance then in other
African countries, which are facing the same problems. Senegal has not been a country with
big revolutions, huge changes. It is one of the most stable countries in the area, where never
have been a coup and all the changes of government went amiably.
 5. Make a summary of the characteristics of the country as you see it.
Senegal has a very interesting quality by being one of the African countries where there
were no coups or violent changes of regimes. This stability and the cooperation with the
former colonizer, France made it possible that Senegal also takes place at on international
stage. One of the main conflicts, which can and already did disturb Senegal’s peace is a
long-running low-level separatist war in the southern part of Senegal. The conflict already
claimed hundreds of lives in Casamance region. Right now, since 2012 there is cease-fire in
the region fighting for its autonomy. However, there are no forthcoming solutions for the
situation yet.
All in all, I think Senegal is on its way to grow and improve. I personally very looking for
to go and learn, see, experience more about the cultural side of the country. Especially to try
to investigate about how does this cultural richness effect other areas in Senegal, if it does.

References:

 http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/senegal/overview#2
 http://www.feedthefuture.gov/country/senegal
 https://www.usaid.gov/senegal
 http://www.africaw.com/major-problems-facing-senegal-today
 http://science.jrank.org/pages/11301/Socialisms-African-African-Socialists.html
 http://science.jrank.org/pages/8089/Socialisms-African.html
http://portal.unesco.org/culture/es/files/40677/12694515225Senegal,_Music_Industry_PRA
TT.pdf/Senegal,%2BMusic%2BIndustry%2BPRATT.pdf
 http://www.mdgfund.org/program/promotinginitiativesandculturalindustriessenegal
 http://www.everyculture.com/Sa-Th/Senegal.html
 http://www.mdgfund.org/program/promotinginitiativesandculturalindustriessenegal
 http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/en/news/Senegal-improves-the-safeguarding-of-
traditional-music-thanks-to-the-Intangible-00121
http://time.com/3786562/senegal-spring/
 http://www.unric.org/en/right-to-participation/28099-the-movement-yen-a-marre--weve-
had-enough
 http://blogs.aljazeera.com/blog/africa/african-spring-senegal