Published: July 23, 2024
This report is intended to supplement the U.S. Department of State Senegal Travel Advisory and Senegal Country Information Page.
Embassy & Consulate Contact Information
U.S. Embassy Dakar:
Route des Almadies, Dakar.
Tel: +221 33 879 4000.
Hours: Monday-Thursday 0800-1730, and Friday 0800-1300.
OSAC Country Chapter(s)
Dakar has an active OSAC Country Chapter, which meets quarterly.
Contact OSAC’s Africa team with any questions.
Senegal Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses that travelers should exercise normal precautions in Senegal. Travelers should exercise increased caution in the Casamance region due to crime and landmines.
Crime
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Dakar as being a CRITICAL-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Senegal, indicating that there may be widespread violent crime and/or organized crime present in the country, and/or that local law enforcement may have limited ability to respond to serious crimes.
Street crime is very common in Senegal, particularly in urban areas. Crimes of opportunity (e.g., pickpocketing, purse snatching, theft of valuables from vehicles, assaults, residential burglaries) are the crimes U.S. official personnel and visitors encounter most frequently. Aggressive vendors, panhandlers, and street children often attempt to divert victims’ attention while an accomplice steals valuables. Do not accept items from anyone on the street unless you plan to buy them; this is the most common tactic amongst street criminals. Robberies occur regularly along the Corinche d’Ouest, an area heavily frequented by tourists and westerners.
Criminals continue to use scooters, motorcycles, and mopeds to steal purses/backpacks from pedestrians in all neighborhoods of Dakar. Minor injuries often occur during moped attacks as drivers may knock down or drag victims.
Street robberies and muggings have involved the use of bladed weapons, though injuries are rare when the victim is compliant.
Most reported residential crime occurred when residences lack sufficient security (e.g., alarms, barred windows, 24/7 guards) or where the security measures exist but are not in use. Theft of valuables left in hotel rooms is common. Credit/ATM card fraud remains a concern in Dakar. The U.S. Embassy recommends that its employees take precautions when using credit/debit cards. Skimming is the primary means of credit fraud and is undetectable until fraudulent charges appear on statements. When using credit/debit cards, monitor accounts closely.
The U.S. Embassy prohibits its staff and family members from walking and running along the Corniche d’Ouest during darkness, particularly in the Ouakam, Fenêtre Mermoz, and Fann neighborhoods, due to reports of assault and robbery. Due to the elevated threat of crime in Dakar, avoid walking outside alone at night.
Kidnapping Threat
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Senegal.
The threat of kidnapping from criminal elements and terrorist groups exists but is rare. Treat the border regions between Senegal, Mauritania, Guinea, and Mali as danger areas due to the potential for illegal cross-border activity. Spill over violence from Mali-based terrorist groups remains a concern. The Embassy has not received any recent reports of kidnappings.
Terrorism
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Dakar as being a MEDIUM-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Senegal.
Although Senegal has not suffered a terrorist attack, it remains vulnerable due to porous borders, regional instability, and the activities of regional terrorist groups. Mali-based terrorist groups could pose a threat to Senegal. Various terrorist groups have threatened the Senegalese government because of its historic support of peacekeeping operations throughout the continent.
Terrorist groups have made threats specifically against French, and more generally Western interests throughout the Sahel and parts of West Africa. Terrorists target French interests due to France’s sizeable presence and colonial history in the region.
Attacks on soft targets where foreigners may congregate are of concern. In recent years, the Government of Senegal has taken steps to mitigate potential terrorist attacks, primarily by posting national police or Gendarmes at potentially vulnerable or attractive targets.
Political Violence and Civil Unrest
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Dakar as being a MEDIUM-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Civil Unrest “U” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Senegal. Civil unrest can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting logistics and services. Avoid demonstration activity, as even those planned to remain peaceful have the potential to turn violent.
Elections/Political Stability
Senegal held presidential elections on March 24, 2024, to elect President Bassirou Diomaye Faye after former President Macky Sall delayed elections originally scheduled for February 25, 2024. On February 3, 2024, Sall announced the postponement of elections, prompting opposition parties to organize protests throughout the country. Dakar and other major cities saw regular protests, some of which turned violent with clashes recorded between protesters and security forces, from February 3 to March 6 when the state set elections for March 24. At least three protesters died as a result of clashes with security forces. The protests caused significant traffic disruptions throughout the country, including on main access roads between Dakar and Blaise Diagne International Airport.
Travelers should exercise extreme caution within the Casamance region (comprising the administrative regions of Ziguinchor, Sédhiou, and Kolda) in southern Senegal.
The Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance (MDFC) is the longest-running separatist militant group in sub-Saharan Africa and continues to wage a very low-level insurgency against the Government of Senegal. While separatist militants primarily target military installations, convoys, and personnel to destabilize the region, civilians in the Casamance have been targets of opportunity for separatist fighters and criminal elements, some of whom may be rebel-supported.
Although the frequency of separatism-related attacks has diminished since a de facto ceasefire in 2012, violent incidents still occur in the Casamance. In January 2022, MFDC fighters ambushed a Senegalese contingent of peacekeeping forces operating in southern Gambia, killing two and kidnapping seven. Senegal then launched a new military offensive against the MFDC. The fighting displacing thousands in the region, many of whom fled to towns within The Gambia. The U.S. Government’s ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in the Casamance region is limited due to these and other official travel restrictions and security concerns.
The U.S. Government strongly discourages its employees from traveling after dark between cities, not just in Casamance but nationwide. Due to concerns of landmines and unexploded ordinance, Embassy personnel are advised to stay on paved roads and known travel ways in the Casamance region.
Protests & Demonstrations
Public protests, demonstrations, and strikes occur regularly and can escalate into violence. Protests typically occur on Fridays, and frequently occur at Place de l’Indépendance, Place de l’Obélisque, and at University Cheikh Anta Diop. Avoid large gatherings, as riot police may resort to using batons and teargas for crowd control. National Police and Gendarmes usually respond to and disperse protests quickly without resorting to the excessive use of force. However, at times the confrontations escalate quickly.
In early March 2021, violent protests, riots, and looting followed the arrest of political opposition leader Ousmane Sonko. The protests led to at least 10 deaths and showcased underlying political, economic, and social tensions exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment
The United States is generally viewed favorably among the Senegalese public with most citing their appreciation of foreign assistance, admiration of democracy, and U.S. economic strength for their positive perceptions. Senegalese positive perceptions of the United States and other traditional partners (e.g., China, Saudi Arabia) are essentially equal. Anti-France sentiment has heightened in recent years; Senegal’s economy reflects historical links with French companies maintaining strong incumbent positions in several sectors. As economic conditions have worsened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, several French businesses were targets during anti-government protests in March 2021.
Law Enforcement
Dakar is split in two regions: the southern part is National Police jurisdiction, and the northern part is Gendarmerie jurisdiction. Report crimes to the local police at 17 or to the Gendarmerie at 800-00-20-20.
If arrested, ask to contact U.S. Embassy American Citizen Services. Police do not always honor requests expeditiously; you may need to be repeat your request.
Police response to criminal activity is reactive, inconsistent, and does not meet Western standards.
There are two primary law enforcement entities: The National Police and the Gendarmerie. Each entity has nationwide law enforcement authority. The National Police fall under the Interior Ministry and focus on major population centers. The Gendarmerie falls under the Defense Ministry and has nationwide jurisdiction.
Police Response
Senegal has minimal resources available for victim assistance and support. Do not ignore a police officer’s lawful or reasonable orders. Treat Senegalese officers as you would U.S. law enforcement officials. Belligerence or a lack of respect toward uniformed officers will exacerbate the situation and may result in arrest.
Travelers with Special Considerations
For specific traveler concerns in Senegal, review the local laws and circumstances on the Department of State’s Country Information Page.
Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption, & Transparency
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Risk of Wrongful Detention “D” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Senegal.
Senegal has maintained a strong respect for rule of law, which is reflected in its longstanding political stability. The constitution and law prohibit arbitrary arrest and detention. Reports of corruption do exist, ranging from rent seeking by bureaucrats involved in public approvals, to opaque public procurement, to corruption in the judiciary and police, however Senegal compares favorably with many countries in the region in corruption indicators.
Cybersecurity
Scams, particularly internet romance scams, are common in Senegal.
Import/Export Restrictions
There are no major import/export restrictions. Repatriation of capital and income is relatively straightforward, although the regional central bank has tightened restrictions on the use of “offshore accounts” in project finance transactions. Regulations of the Central Bank of West African States (known by its French acronym BCEAO) prescribe the use of offshore accounts in project finance transactions within the WAEMU except where approved by the Ministry of Finance and Budget, with the express consent (avis conforme) of the BCEAO. According to the BCEAO, these restrictions allow visibility over international transactions, deter money laundering, and help the BCEAO maintain adequate foreign currency reserves.
A country-specific listing of items/goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.
Additional resources and reports can be found in the OSAC Traveler Toolkit.
