Legal System of Senegal

Senegal is located in Africa. It is geographically situated in western africa, bordering the north atlantic ocean, between guinea-bissau and mauritania. The country achieved independence on 4 april 1960 (from france); 20 august 1960 (full independence after federation with mali is dissolved). The capital is Dakar.

Government Overview

Government Type: presidential republic Chief of State: President Bassirou Diomaye FAYE (since 2 April 2024) Head of Government: Prime Minister Ousmane SONKO (since 2 April 2024) Cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president Administrative Divisions: 14 regions (régions, singular - région); Dakar, Diourbel, Fatick, Kaffrine, Kaolack, Kéedougou, Kolda, Louga, Matam, Saint-Louis, Sedhiou, Tambacounda, Thies, Ziguinchor National Holiday: Independence Day, 4 April (1960) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Legal System

The legal system of Senegal is described as civil law system based on French law; Constitutional Council reviews legislative acts International Law: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Constitutional Framework

The constitution has the following history: previous 1959 (pre-independence), 1963; latest adopted by referendum 7 January 2001, promulgated 22 January 2001 Amendment Process: proposed by the president of the republic or by the National Assembly; passage requires Assembly approval and approval in a referendum; the president can bypass a referendum and submit an amendment directly to the Assembly, which requires at least three-fifths majority vote; the republican form of government is not amendable

Judicial Branch

Highest Court(s): Supreme Court or Cour Suprême (consists of the court president and 12 judges and organized into civil and commercial, criminal, administrative, and social chambers); Constitutional Council or Conseil Constitutionnel (consists of 7 members, including the court president, vice president, and 5 judges) Judge Selection: Supreme Court judges appointed by the president of the republic upon recommendation of the Superior Council of the Magistrates, a body chaired by the president and minister of justice; judge tenure varies, with mandatory retirement either at 65 or 68 years; Constitutional Council members are appointed, 5 by the president and 2 by the National Assembly speaker; judges serve 6-year terms, with renewal of 2 members every 2 years Subordinate Courts: High Court of Justice (for crimes of high treason by the president); Courts of Appeal; Court of Auditors; assize courts; regional and district courts; Labor Court

Legislative Branch

The legislative structure consists of unicameral

Citizenship and Suffrage

Citizenship by Birth: no Citizenship by Descent: at least one parent must be a citizen of Senegal Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Historical Background

Senegal is one of the few countries in the world with evidence of continuous human life from the Paleolithic period to present. Between the 14th and 16th centuries, the Jolof Empire ruled most of Senegal. Starting in the 15th century, Portugal, the Netherlands, France, and Great Britain traded along the Senegalese coast. Senegal’s location on the western tip of Africa made it a favorable base for the European slave trade.

This article provides a summary of the legal system and governmental structure of Senegal based on the CIA World Factbook. The Factbook is a public domain publication of the United States Central Intelligence Agency.