Stories from Senegal

A faction of the presidential majority in Senegal has expressed opposition to a proposed bill. The source did not specify which members of the majority are opposing the project. The executive's proposal excludes the principle of retroactivity introduced in the PASTEF party's bill. Coalition leader Hiting stated the provision is contrary to the right to supremacy. The text was made public on Monday. The Senegalese executive released a new proposal to modify the electoral code. However, the new proposal is reportedly contrary to the right of oversight, according to coalition leaders. The coalition leadership maintains that the new text violates the right to oversight. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye intends to maintain control over the PASSEF, which is currently dominated by Ousmane Sonko.

Samuel Ndiakwa will exhibit his photography at the Museum of Black Civilizations in Dakar until June. The exhibition is part of a feature by Juliette Dubois. Works by the late Senegalese sculptor Ousmane Saut have been on display at the Museum of Black Civilizations in Dakar since April 25. The exhibition is scheduled to run for a duration of three years. The Minister of Culture, Amadou Ba, has addressed the matter of reparations regarding the works. The works were recently restored following surface deposits caused by construction and sea breezes. The exhibition follows the closure of the house.

A young Dakar resident reported increasing violence against the homosexual community in Senegal. Prison sentences for members of the community have been doubled, according to the report.

Senegalese striker Papiss Cissé is the leading African goalscorer across Europe's five major leagues for the 2026 calendar year. Radio Foot Euro consultant Mangara stated the player's form is expected to be rewarded at the end of the season. Cissé is expected to join the Senegal national team for upcoming matches in the United States in less than two months. The player is currently described as the best Senegalese attacker and is under contract until June 30. Several foreign clubs are reportedly interested in his profile. His current contract is set to expire on June 30.

A reporter from BBC World Service indicated that militia forces sustained injuries. The situation in Mali has led to a sense of powerlessness and anxiety among students studying abroad. There is concern about the future of Mali, with attacks occurring frequently and unpredictably. The city of Kati, previously considered one of Mali's most secure locations, is also affected. The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that an African corps unit inflicted heavy losses on enemy forces during intense combat. Russian officials stated the intervention prevented mass civilian casualties. The ministry also reported conducting four drone strikes against enemy reserves and troop concentrations.

French basketball player Axel Tupan has joined the EC Ville de Dakar team this year. Tupan is 33 years old and stands 2 meters tall. He previously played for the Milwaukee Bucks, winning an NBA championship in 2021. He is a 2019 World Cup bronze medalist. He previously played for Porto and was a 2021 NBA champion with the Milwaukee Bucks. He is expected to serve as a leader for the young Dakar-based squad. The team faces pressure to qualify for the BEL finals after a 1-4 loss to D'Agy. Only the top four teams out of six in the competition will secure playoff tickets. The team's recent performance includes a 97-72 victory against the McTown Flyers.

A suicide car bomb targeted the headquarters of the Minister of State, Minister of Defense, and Veterans Affairs in Senegal. Rebel forces, including an Al-Qaeda branch in West Africa, carried out a coordinated attack on the headquarters in Kidal. The military government confirmed Defense Minister Sadio Kamara died in a suicide attack. An agent involved in the administration's evacuation received a bullet to the vest during the incident. Mali government spokesperson Issa Ousmane reported critical security conditions following a series of attacks last Saturday. Extremists allied with Tuareg rebels targeted strategic sites belonging to the ruling military junta. Forces from Chad arrived on Sunday to assist in field operations. Ulf Lessing of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung describes recent attacks as the worst since 2012 when jihadists and Tuareg rebels occupied the north.

Senegal's Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Fatou Joffe, is calling for new financial mechanisms to support food systems. Traditional donors are shifting priorities away from agricultural development. The call for investment was made during a discussion in Dakar regarding the transformation of food systems. The minister said that current funding changes are not inevitable but require strategic redirection. Minister Fatou Diouf highlighted the sector's role in providing animal proteins and maintaining economic stability. The government has implemented transparency measures by publishing lists of vessels authorized to fish in Senegalese waters. This social innovation model aims to attract international donors by involving local fishermen directly in management.

Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif Al-Sheikh, honored participants in the second edition of the Holy Two Holy Mosques Quran and Sunnah Memorization Competition. The event took place in Dakar, Senegal, featuring 100 contestants representing 53 African nations. The competition aims to support Quranic studies across the continent.

Security forces arrested several prominent Senegalese artists, including Max Kemkoi and Nassour Korsami, in Dakar. The arrests occurred hours before a scheduled press conference by the group. The incident follows tensions between the GKP and local authorities regarding a planned demonstration on May 2. GKP spokesperson Nabdoulaye reported that security forces used force and dismantled group installations during the operation. Eight presidents of opposition political parties were arrested yesterday morning in Dakar. The detainees are members of the GKAP political actor consultation group. Authorities are conducting these arrests as part of a broader political crackdown. Organizers plan to expand popular evaluation concepts beyond the capital into regional areas.