History of Senegal

Jolof Empire, 1350–1549 Draft, not yet reviewed

The Jolof Empire was a Wolof state in modern-day Senegal, that ruled portions of Mauritania and Gambia from the mid-14th century (or possibly earlier) until 1549. Following the battle of Danki, its vassal states were fully or de facto independent, and in this period it is known as the Jolof Kingdom. The empire consisted mostly of Wolof, Serer and Fula from north of the Senegal River.

Seat of power: Linguère

French West Africa, 1895–1958 Draft, not yet reviewed

French West Africa was a federation of eight French colonial territories in West Africa. The federation existed from 1895 until 1958. Its capital was Saint-Louis in Senegal until 1902, and then Dakar until the federation's collapse in 1960. Until after World War II, most West Africans living in the colonies of France were not citizens of France.

Seat of power: Dakar

Rulers

• Ernest Roume, governor general of French West Africa, 1902–1907
• Martial Merlin, governor general of French West Africa, 1907–1908
• Joost van Vollenhoven, governor general of French West Africa, 1917–1918
• Gabriel Louis Angoulvant, governor general of French West Africa, 1918–1919
• Martial Merlin, governor general of French West Africa, 1919–1923
• Jules Brévié, governor general of French West Africa, 1930–1936

Mali Federation, 1959–1960 Draft, not yet reviewed

The Mali Federation was a federation in West Africa that linked the French colonies of Senegal and the Sudanese Republic for two months in 1960. It was founded on 4 April 1959 as a territory with self-rule within the French Community, and became independent after negotiations with France on 20 June 1960. On 19 August 1960, Sudanese Republic leaders in the federation tried to take control by mobilizing the army, and Senegalese leaders in the federation retaliated by mobilizing the gendarmerie, and Senegal withdrew from the federation the next day.

Seat of power: Dakar

Senegal, 1960 to today Draft, not yet reviewed

Léopold Sédar Senghor was elected Senegal's first president in August 1960. Due to internal political difficulties, the Federation broke up on 20 August 1960 when Senegal and French Sudan each proclaimed independence. The state is a semi-presidential republic, and since 1960 it has been recognized as one of the most stable countries on the African continent. A southern separatist group in the Casamance region has clashed sporadically with government forces since 1982 in the Casamance conflict.

Seat of power: Dakar

Rulers

• Léopold Sédar Senghor, President of Senegal, 1960–1980
• Abdou Diouf, President of Senegal, 1981–2000
• Abdoulaye Wade, President of Senegal, 2000–2012
• Macky Sall, President of Senegal, 2012–2024
• Bassirou Diomaye Faye, President of Senegal, 2024 to today