Senegal Roundup: Visa-free policy, media protection, LGBTQ activism

Sadio Mane criticised by FA

Augustin Senghor, the president of the Senegalese Football Federation, has expressed disapproval of remarks made by Sadio Mané, a two-time recipient of the African Player of the Year award. Mané's comments critiqued the national team's strategy during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Although he was out of play due to an injury and did not participate in the games against DR Congo and Mauritania, Mané's critique came during the international break. His statements led to considerable controversy, especially as Senegal experienced a challenging 1-1 tie with DR Congo but clinched a narrow 1-0 win against Mauritania, sustaining their course in the qualifying rounds, Pulse Kenya reports. "In my opinion, I think we need to review our system. We tried to play with more combinations, but overall, it didn't work as it should. So to be formidable, I think we must, as I said, review the system," said Mane

Lesbian activists being abused

Senegal lesbian activists are facing abuse and hostility in a nation where homosexuality is already criminalized. In an interview with 76 Crimes, a lesbian with the pseudonym, Awa shared that lesbians in Senegal are often exposed to corrective rape at an early age. "Very often, when a family suspects that a young girl is a lesbian, she is taken by force to a marabout who, far from giving her a religious education, will rape her. This does not happen all the time, or in all social contexts, but in rural Senegal it is far from rare," she said.

Call for media protection

Over 60 journalists have faced arrest, assault, or detention amid Senegal's political turmoil over the last three years. The watchdog organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF), which has been tracking these incidents, views the ascent of new leadership as a chance for journalistic healing and a revival of Senegal's role as a champion for information rights in the region. RSF's findings indicate that since March 2021, numerous journalists have suffered mistreatment, media polarization has intensified, social media disruptions have occurred, and media permits have been revoked, this period of instability overlapped with doubts about whether the former president, Macky Sall, would pursue an unconstitutional third term. Ultimately, Sall abandoned such intentions, and Bassirou Diomaye Faye was elected in March of the current year, reports CAJ News.

Visa-free policy boosts tourism

Senegal has introduced a visa exemption for travellers from 50 countries, encompassing Schengen area members, France, Spain, and Turkey, enhancing its attractiveness as a travel destination. The nation is celebrated for its abundant historical sites, varied terrains, and dynamic urban centres, catering to vacationers and increasingly drawing business and corporate visitors. With its advanced infrastructure, flourishing hospitality sector, and lively events industry, Senegal continues to strengthen its position as a favoured travel spot. In 2022, the country welcomed upwards of 1.38 million international visitors, a testament to its growing popularity, as reported by TTW.

Support for Burkina junta

Even though a protest took place in Dakar on 21 June, opposing the military regime in Ouagadougou, the Senegalese government continues to support its counterpart in Burkina Faso. Following an assault by Burkinabe officials on the organisers of the Dakar protest against Ouagadougou's junta, Senegalese diplomats promptly issued a response. The demonstration, orchestrated by the Senegalese Coalition of Human Rights Defenders (COSEDDH) and Amnesty International (AI), sought to call out the suppression of media and speech freedoms, along with the widespread detention of civil society figures, such as the esteemed attorney Guy Herve Kam, under Captain Ibrahim Traore's administration, reports APA News.