BGC Senegal

 

Politics of Senegal

Senegal is a semi-presidential republic in West Africa. The current President is Macky Sall, who took office in April 2012. The politics in Senegal are shaped by a multi-party system and a bicameral legislature.

Legislative Branch

The primary legislative body in Senegal is the Parliament of Senegal, which is composed of two chambers:

    • National Assembly: The National Assembly consists of 165 members, elected by popular vote, who serve five-year terms.

 

    • Senatorial Chamber: The Senatorial Chamber consists of 100 members, appointed by the President, who serve five-year terms.

 

The Parliament exercises its authority by approving laws and overseeing the actions of the executive branch of the government.

Executive Branch

The executive branch of the government is led by the President, who is elected to a five-year term. The President is the head of state and commander in chief of the armed forces, and is responsible for the appointment of the Prime Minister, who serves as the head of government.

The President is responsible for proposing laws, issuing decrees, and appointing judges, among other duties.

Judicial Branch

The judicial branch of the government is headed by the Supreme Court of Senegal, which is composed of nine members appointed by the President. The Supreme Court is responsible for interpreting the Constitution and other laws, and is the highest court of appeal in the country.

Political Parties

Senegal has a multi-party political system with numerous parties participating in the elections. The two dominant parties are the Alliance for the Republic and the Socialist Party.

Other prominent parties include Rewmi (Movement for the Renaissance of Senegal), AND PDS (Democratic Party of Senegal), UJD (Union for Democracy and Development), and PADS (Party for the African Democratic Union).

The country also has a number of small, niche parties which focus on particular ideological or ethnic issues.

Senegal is a booming democracy, and its political landscape is continuing to evolve. As the country develops and its citizens become more aware of their rights and democratic duty, it will continue to strengthen its democracy and become an even more important part of the African political landscape.