Country Trading Profiles Senegal - General information

Political outline | Living conditions | Useful resources | Communications

Political outline

Executive Power: The President is the chief of state and is elected by a popular vote for a five-year term under the new constitution of 2001 (earlier it was seven years). The President is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces and enjoys immense executive powers which includes implementation of the law in the country and running the day-to-day affairs. He appoints the Prime Minister as Head of the government. The Council of Ministers (cabinet) is appointed by the Prime Minister in consultation with the President.
Legislative Power: The legislature in Senegal is unicameral. The parliament called National Assembly has 120 seats with its members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve five-year terms. President has the right to dismiss the National Assembly. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the parliament. The people of Senegal have considerable political rights.
Main political parties: Senegal has presently a multi-party system. The major political parties in the country are:
- PDS (Senegalese Democratic Party) – a liberal democratic party;
- AFP (Alliance of Progress Forces) – a progressive liberal party, believes in social justice and development;
- PS (Socialist Party of Senegal) – a democratic socialist party, having strong base in trade unions;
- African Party for Democracy and Socialism – a revolutionary socialist party;
- URD (Union for Democratic Renewal) – a democratic liberal party.
Current political leaders: President: Macky SALL (since 2 April 2012) - APR
Prime Minister : Abdoul MBAYE (since 3 April 2012) - Independant
Next election dates: National Assembly: Year 2012

Living conditions

Health and safety

Health precautions

The risk of malaria (especially the malignant form P. falciparum) exists everywhere, all the year round and in all the regions of the country. However, there is less risk from January to June in the western central region. Moreover, the virus is resistant to chloroquine in most cases.
In order to avoid traveler's diarrhea, tourists should avoid risky foods such as: dishes prepared and then eaten cold, sea food, fish that is little or badly cooked, raw vegetables, as well as fruits that are not peeled by oneself. Tap water should be boiled, filtered and then drunk from bottles that are correctly sealed.

Since 2005, cholera is rampant throughout the country. Travelers should thus scrupulously follow the basic rules of hygiene. Another virus that is equally dangerous is the Appolo virus that is particularly rife during the month of September. This virus causes a type of conjunctivitis and it is found in all the countries of the region. Travelers should avoid touching their eyes with dirty hands and should wash their hands as often as possible.

For further information on sanitary conditions

Kassoumay: Health Precautions

For further information on safety conditions

Contact your Embassy

Honorary Consulate of Greece in Senegal
15 Bis Rue Jules Ferry
Dakar BP 1810, Senegal
Phone: (002219) 571120, 571149, 572648
Fax : (002219) 571504, 5

Emergency numbers

SOS Doctor	889 15 15
EMS	824 24 18
Fire brigade	18
Police	17 or 23 23 33 ; in Dakar, (221) 823 71 49/823 25 29

Time difference and climate

Time and time difference: It is %T:%M %A in Dakar (GMT)
Summer time period: The hottest period is from June to October and is also the monsoon season.

Map of the time zone

Type of climate: There is tropical climate in the south. The average temperature in the south is 27 degrees C, but very often reaches 40 degrees C in summer. The average temperature in the north is 21 degrees C. The monsoon season : from mid-May to mid-September. The dry period : mid-October to mid-March.

For further information: Au Senegal : website for information on Senegal

Average annual temperatures and rainfall

Useful resources

To find an accommodation: In Senegal: website for information on tourism
To find an apartment: Renting an apartment or a house in Senegal
To find a job: Online Employment

Communications

Telephone codes: To make a call from Senegal to Greece: dial 00 (or +) 30
To make a call to in Senegal from Greece: dial 00 (or +) +221
Mobile telephone standards
Internet suffix: .sn

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