Freedom of speech, press, and assembly were limited nation-wide.¹

According to a news report, the past two years saw an increase in violence against journalists and political activists. Government officials denied violations of freedom of speech.[fn]”VOA News Senegal’s rap artistsÕ despair over 2007 Elections,” US Fed News, August 4, 2006.[/efn_note]

In October 2005, freedom of speech was restricted when the government closed down Senegal’s leading private radio for a day under special instructions from the Interior Ministry after the station interviewed one of the leaders of the MFDC. Employees of the station were detained.² Earlier that year a minor opposition leader was arrested on charges of inciting unrest. The communications ministry released a statement which argued that Senegal’s democratic institutions could not accommodate what it termed assaults that could lead to chaos.³

No developments observed this year.

No developments observed this year.

In his 2012 new year’s speech, Senegalese President Wade said he would facilitate the process of social reintegration of rebels after disarmament and demobilization.⁴

In 2011, the press reported that “the demobilisation, disarmament and reinsertion of some 2,000 fightersÉ has never been carried out”.⁵ Around the same time, President Wade asked the government to design a national program for the social reintegration of former MFDC fighters.⁶

There was no mention of the reintegration program.

There was no mention of the reintegration program.

There was no mention of the reintegration program.