Country

Senegal

Hybrid Authoritarian

0.23%

of the world’s population

19,366,500 people

Source: Tyranny Tracker

Overview

HRF classifies Senegal as ruled by a hybrid authoritarian regime.

Senegal is a presidential republic. The Head of State, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, was democratically elected in the 2024 elections. The polls ended a three-year political crisis and violent unrest sparked by former President Macky Sall’s legal maneuvers to sideline his main opponents and crack down on dissent, amid efforts to stay in power beyond the two-term constitutional limit. Since taking office, the African Patriots of Senegal for Labor, Ethics and Fraternity (PASTEF) regime has restored some democracy while maintaining some of the previous regimes’ authoritarian practices.

Key Highlights

National elections are largely free and fair. Since taking office, the regime has organized one national election, which was free and fair.

Independent media, political leaders, and civil society organizations are seriously and unfairly hindered in their ability to openly criticize or challenge the regime. While Senegal has a vibrant independent press that can report critically on the government, journalists, commentators, activists, and opposition members consistently face detention and criminal charges for criticizing government officials.

The judiciary also fails to serve as a check on the regime in a way that allows it to repress criticism. The regime has exploited the judicial system to harass journalists under the guise of spreading false news and to pursue former members of the previous regime on corruption charges.

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Senegal Most Recent

Human Rights Dispatch

Sep 22, 2026

NGOs Urge Action on Xi Jinping, Tanzania Faces Legitimacy Crisis, Alex Saab Pleads Guilty, and more.

Ahead of Vietnamese President To Lam’s upcoming visit to New York in September, HRF co-signs a joint letter with @PENamerica @pressfreedom @RSF_inter and other organizations to @SecRubio , urging the US Department of State to call for the release of Vietnamese writers and journalists Le Huu Minh Tuan, Pham Chi Dung, Nguyen Tuong Thuy, and Pham Doan Trang.

Sep 21, 2026

How Tanzania’s Flawed 2025 Election Produced a Crisis of Legitimacy

Nine months after Tanzania’s general elections, the regime is still using prosecution to try and neutralize those it claims to have defeated at the polls. On July 25, opposition party Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA) said 51 of its officials had been arrested and charged with terrorism in connection with demonstrations planned for earlier in the month.

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Senegal's Publications

Human Rights Dispatch

Sep 22, 2026

NGOs Urge Action on Xi Jinping, Tanzania Faces Legitimacy Crisis, Alex Saab Pleads Guilty, and more.

Ahead of Vietnamese President To Lam’s upcoming visit to New York in September, HRF co-signs a joint letter with @PENamerica @pressfreedom @RSF_inter and other organizations to @SecRubio , urging the US Department of State to call for the release of Vietnamese writers and journalists Le Huu Minh Tuan, Pham Chi Dung, Nguyen Tuong Thuy, and Pham Doan Trang.

Sep 21, 2026

How Tanzania’s Flawed 2025 Election Produced a Crisis of Legitimacy

Nine months after Tanzania’s general elections, the regime is still using prosecution to try and neutralize those it claims to have defeated at the polls. On July 25, opposition party Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA) said 51 of its officials had been arrested and charged with terrorism in connection with demonstrations planned for earlier in the month.

Human Rights Dispatch

Sep 17, 2026

Zambia Cancels Passports of 6 Government Critics

HRF condemns the Zambian regime’s arbitrary cancellation of the passports of six government critics along with the stripping of nationality from two others. HRF calls for these grave abuses of administrative powers—imposed without due process—to be lifted immediately and for Hakainde Hichilema’s regime to end its ongoing, politically-motivated crackdown on dissent.

Human Rights Dispatch

Sep 16, 2026

NGOs Urge Xi Jinping to End Repression, Mali Sentences Critics, and more.

HRF condemns prison sentences imposed last month by Malian courts on four prominent public opinion leaders for public criticisms of the military regime of Gen. Assimi Goïta. HRF calls for their convictions to be overturned and for their immediate release.

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