Legal framework on freedom of religion and actual application
Article 1 of the Constitution of Senegal affirms the secularity of the State, establishes a clear separation between the state and religious organisations, and upholds the principle of equality “without distinction of origin, of race, of sex [and] of religion”. Article 5 criminalises all acts of racial, ethnic, or religious discrimination. The Constitution also forbids political parties to identify themselves with one specific religion (Article 4) and guarantees religious communities the right to practise their religions, as well as the right to manage and freely organise themselves (Article 24).
Islam is the predominant religion in the country. Most Senegalese Muslims are Sunni and belong to Sufi brotherhoods concentrated in the northern part of the country, while most Christians live in the south-western part of Senegal, Catholics in particular, but there are also some Protestants. Many Muslims and Christians mix their customs with traditional African rites. Most adherents of traditional African religions can be found in the south-east of the country.
Daily life in Senegal is traditionally characterised by a spirit of tolerance. Conversion is possible and generally accepted. In matters of family law (marriages, divorces, paternity, inheritances, etc.), Muslims have the right to choose between Shari’a (Islamic law) and civil law. Customary and civil law cases are usually presided by civil court judges, but “religious leaders informally settle many disputes among Muslims, particularly in rural areas.” There is no provision for Shari’a courts but the reality on the ground is different. Many Senegalese call on imams to regulate family matters like marriage and divorce.
All religious groups must register with the authorities to obtain official recognition, which is a prerequisite if faith-based organisations wish to conduct business, open bank accounts, own property, receive private financial support, and enjoy certain tax benefits.
Concerning religious education, public schools can provide optional religious education at the elementary level for four hours a week. Parents can choose between the Muslim and Christian curricula. The Ministry of National Education subsidises schools run by religious groups that meet national education standards. Most subsidies are granted to long-established Christian schools that have a reputation for high-quality teaching.
The Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs respectively require local and foreign religious groups to submit annual activity reports that include disclosure of financial transactions. The intention is to identify possible financing of terrorist groups. No cases of illegal activity in this regard were observed during the reporting period.
Statutory religious holidays include the Christian feasts of All Saints’, Christmas and Ascension, and the Muslim festivities of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
Incidents and developments
Senegal has a very tolerant atmosphere in matters of religious freedom. Only minor incidents were observed.
In a 12 October 2022 interview, Bishop Paul Abel Mamba of Tambacounda Diocese explained the importance of maintaining good daily relations with Muslims stating: “We strive to promote the spirit of dialogue in daily life, which we share with our brothers of the Islamic faith. It is not uncommon to see families in which different faiths coexist; members who adhere to the traditional faith alongside Muslims and Christians. In this context, we not only share daily life, but also celebrate holidays together and mourn together.” This cooperative spirit for peaceful coexistence is also evident between the leadership of religious communities, as well as between religious leaders and the state, particularly of concern where extremism threatens. “This commitment is all the more urgent in the country that borders Mali where several jihadist groups are active. We are all careful that our population is not contaminated by this jihadist and violent spirit,” stated the bishop.
In late 2021, preceding local elections, religious leaders issued a common statement, in which they called for “calm, restrain and respect”. These came amid tensions witnessed in the building up to the vote.
Two Christian associations distributed food for Muslims travelling for Iftar and for whom it was not possible to break their Ramadan fast on time. Marie Cardinale, head of La Main du Coeur association, stated: “Gifting our Muslim and Christian brothers with a meal is more than a gesture, it also conveys a message, it is true that we have different beliefs but it is necessary that we respect each other’s faith”.
“Confiage”, the practice of sending children from the countryside to the cities to earn money for families at home, often results in girls becoming maids, or being “forced to become sex workers from the age of 13”. The destination for boys is Quranic schools where, according to Human Rights Watch, more than 100,000 children live “without adequate food or medical care and are victims of exploitation, violence, sexual abuse, forced to beg in the street.” The government reportedly “works with Muslim religious leaders to fight against child abuse in some Quranic schools.”
On 24 February, Imam Serigne Lamine Sall derided the Catholic faith on a Senegalese private television, Walfadjri TV, stating: “Who can we hear, every Sunday, saying that God has a son? They are Catholics, they are not believers”. On 2 March 2022, Church leaders in Senegal protested to the country's Ministry of the Interior and the president of the National Council of Broadcasting Regulation.
Although Senegal is known for being one of western Africa’s most politically stable countries, there is an ongoing 40-year-old conflict between the Senegalese military and the Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance (MDFC) in the country’s southern Casamance region. In December 2022, Fr Fulgence Coly, the Apostolic Administrator of Ziguinchor explained, “the inhabitants of this area feel that the south has been abandoned by the Government, and many move to the north, or embark on the adventure of emigration.” The Church is working with the population to keep the peace. “It is important that we, as the Church, accompany young people so that they find employment, rather than dedicate themselves to violence. We want peace, and we especially want to see the return of all of those who had to flee their communities”, stated Fr Coly. On a political level the Church serves as a mediator in peace negotiations between the Senegalese State and the MDFC.
Prospects for freedom of religion
Senegal, with a strong Sufi presence, enjoys a peaceful coexistence between the country’s different religious groups. A challenge, and one that Senegalese religious traditions are confronting through dialogue, is the presence of violent extremist Islamist groups among the nation’s neighbours with the possible risk of overspill into Senegal.
Prospects for the exercise of religious freedom in Senegal remain positive.
Senegal