President of Senegal Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids President of the Republic of Senegal Président de la République du Sénégal
Coat of Arms of Senegal
Incumbent Bassirou Diomaye Faye since 2 April 2024
Residence	Palace of the Republic
Term length	5 years, renewable once
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 is the head of state for the country of Senegal. This means they are the top leader of the country.

Since 2016, the president is chosen for a 5-year term. They can only serve two terms in a row. Senegal became independent from France in 1960. Since then, several people have served as president.

How a President is Chosen
- Taking the Oath
How Long a President Serves
- Presidential Term Length
- Limits on Terms
Special Places for the President
- The Presidential Palace
Past Presidents of Senegal
Timeline of Presidents
Most Recent Election
Related Topics

How a President is Chosen

Taking the Oath

Before a new president starts their job, they must take an oath. This is a special promise. The Senegalese Constitution explains what the president must swear to do:

"I swear, before God and the people of Senegal, to faithfully execute the office of president of the republic of Senegal, to keep the provisions of the Constitution and laws and to ensure their observance, to devote all my strength to defending constitutional institutions, to defend Senegal's territorial integrity and its independence, and [I swear] to spare no effort to realize the unity of Africa".

This oath means the president promises to lead the country fairly. They also promise to protect Senegal's laws and its land. They will work to keep Senegal independent and help unite Africa.

How Long a President Serves

Presidential Term Length

The length of a president's term has changed a few times in Senegal's history.

In 1991, the term was made longer, from five to seven years.
Then, in 2001, a special vote by the people (called a referendum) changed it back to five years.
In 2008, the National Assembly (Senegal's parliament) voted to make the term seven years again. This change did not affect the president who was in office at that time.
Finally, in 2016, another referendum changed the term back to five years. This is how long it is today.

Limits on Terms

As of 2021, a president can only serve two terms. This rule is in the Constitution of Senegal.

One former president, Abdoulaye Wade, tried to run for a third term in 2012. This caused some debate. However, he lost the election to Macky Sall.

Special Places for the President

The Presidential Palace

The Palace of the Republic in Dakar.

The official home and office of the president is the Palace of the Republic. It is located in Dakar, the capital city.

This beautiful building was first ordered in 1902. It was built for the Governor-General of French West Africa. This was during the time when France ruled Senegal. The architect who designed it was Henri Deglane.

Past Presidents of Senegal

Here is a list of the people who have been 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 (Born–Died)	Elected	Time in Office			Political Party	Prime Minister(s)
No.	Portrait	Name (Born–Died)	Elected	Started Office	Left Office	Total Time	Political Party	Prime Minister(s)
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, 78 days	PASTEF	Sidiki Kaba Ousmane Sonko