Stories from Senegal

Senegalese wrestling is a very popular sport in Senegal and is followed across Africa and globally. Efforts are underway to expand its reach to new audiences beyond the Senegalese and African public.

A case has been filed with the CDAO Court of Justice regarding impunity, initiated in September 2025. Lawyers have submitted a request to compel the state to respond.

The FEMUA festival said that music can bring people together in a divided world. Organizers stated that music is a tool that can be used to convey messages of love and peace.

Malian singer Fatumata Diawara delivered a powerful performance in Dakar, described as festive, hypnotic, and volcanic. She is recognized as a prominent voice in Wassoulou music and a master of funk, using her platform to convey her values.

Fourteen trade union centers held a rally in Dakar to demand respect for state commitments and improved working conditions. The demonstration took place on Avenue Lamine Guèye. Some participants, including recently dismissed public institution employees, expressed dissatisfaction during the event.

Aïsad Diop is calling for the reinstatement of 30,633 people who were allegedly dismissed from a public institution. The union cites difficult living conditions as a driver for their current stance.

Senegalese rapper Didier Awadi expressed concern regarding the role of political actors and the impact of artificial intelligence on the music sector. The discussion highlighted how AI can allow access to protected works without the authorization of copyright holders.

President Bassiroudou Diomaye Faye promulgated a law on March 30 that criminalizes same-sex relations. The new legislation imposes prison sentences ranging from 5 to 10 years for individuals involved in such acts. Radio Radicale reports the law marks a decline in human rights in the West African nation. The country was previously considered one of the more stable and tolerant in the region. Senegal has implemented more severe punishments for homosexuality in recent days. The move is described as a way to assert African values against Western influences. The policy has faced local disagreement, though gathering testimonies remains difficult.

A network of institutions and social movements will collaborate with the national census in Senegal. Márcio Poschmann explained that a pilot test was previously conducted in Niterói. While previous initiatives were regional, a national methodology is now being implemented.

At least one hundred people have been arrested across Senegal since the promulgation of a new law on March 30. The arrests are reportedly for "acts against nature," targeting the LGBT community.