President of Senegal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids President of theRepublic of Senegal Président de la République du Sénégal |
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![]() Coat of Arms of Senegal
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Residence | Palace of the Republic |
Term length | Five years,
renewable once
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Constituting instrument | Constitution of Senegal (2001) |
Inaugural holder | Léopold Sédar Senghor |
Formation | 6 September 1960 |
Salary | 9,278,556 West African CFA francs annually |
Website | presidence.sn |
The President of Senegal (which is Président du Sénégal in French) is the country's head of state. This means they are the top leader of Senegal. They are chosen by the people in an election.
Since a special vote (called a referendum) in 2016, the president serves for five years. They can only be elected two times in a row. Senegal became independent from France in 1960. Since then, several leaders have held this important role.
Contents
Becoming President: The Election Process
Taking the Oath of Office
Before a new president can start their job, they must take a special promise called an oath. This promise is written in Senegal's Constitution. It shows their commitment to the country.
The president promises to serve the country faithfully. They also promise to follow the laws and protect Senegal's independence. A big part of the oath is also working for the unity of Africa.
Presidential Term Lengths
The length of time a president serves has changed a few times in Senegal's history.
In 1991, the presidential term was made longer, from five years to seven years.
Then, in 2001, during Abdoulaye Wade's first term, another special vote (a referendum) happened. This vote changed the term length back to five years.
However, in 2008, the National Assembly (which is like Senegal's parliament) voted to make the term seven years again. This change did not affect President Wade's term that was already happening.
Finally, in 2016, during Macky Sall's first term, another referendum took place. This vote changed the presidential term back to five years. This is the rule that is followed today.
Term Limits for Presidents
Currently, the Constitution of Senegal says that a president can only serve two terms. This means they can be elected president twice, but not more than that.
There was a discussion in 2012 when Abdoulaye Wade ran for president again. He was allowed to run, but he lost the election to Macky Sall.
Presidential Privileges
The Palace of the Republic
The Palace of the Republic (known as Palais de la République in French) is where the president lives and works. It is located in Dakar, the capital city.
This beautiful building was first ordered to be built in 1902. It was meant to be the home for the Governor-General of French West Africa. The architect who designed it was Henri Deglane.
List of Senegal's Presidents
Here is a list of the people who have served as president of Senegal since it became an independent country.
- Political parties
Socialist Party of Senegal (PSS) Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS) Alliance for the Republic (APR) African Patriots of Senegal for Work, Ethics and Fraternity (PASTEF)
- Symbols
Elected unopposed
No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) |
Elected | Term of office | Political party | Prime minister(s) | ||
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Took office | Left office | Time in office | ||||||
1 | ![]() |
Léopold Sédar Senghor (1906–2001) |
1960 1963 1968 1973 1978 |
6 September 1960 | 31 December 1980 | 20 years, 116 days | PSS | Mamadou Dia Abdou Diouf |
2 | ![]() |
Abdou Diouf (born 1935) |
1983 1988 1993 |
1 January 1981 | 1 April 2000 | 19 years, 91 days | PSS | Habib Thiam Moustapha Niasse Habib Thiam Mamadou Lamine Loum |
3 | ![]() |
Abdoulaye Wade (born 1926) |
2000 2007 |
1 April 2000 | 2 April 2012 | 12 years, 1 day | PDS | Moustapha Niasse Mame Madior Boye Idrissa Seck Macky Sall Cheikh Hadjibou Soumaré Souleymane Ndéné Ndiaye |
4 | ![]() |
Macky Sall (born 1961) |
2012 2019 |
2 April 2012 | 2 April 2024 | 12 years | APR | Abdoul Mbaye Aminata Touré Mohamed Dionne Amadou Ba Sidiki Kaba |
5 | ![]() |
Bassirou Diomaye Faye (born 1980) |
2024 | 2 April 2024 | Incumbent | 1 year, 121 days | PASTEF | Sidiki Kaba Ousmane Sonko |
Timeline of Presidents

Latest Election Results
To learn more about how the current president was chosen, you can read about the 2024 Senegalese presidential election.
See also
In Spanish: Presidente de Senegal para niños
- Politics of Senegal
- Prime Minister of Senegal
- First Lady of Senegal
- List of colonial governors of Senegal