African artists aimed to reflect their stance on Palestinian issue, raise awareness within community, says head of Panafrican Graffiti Artists Collective
Senegalese artists express solidarity with Palestine through graffiti art Read More »
Senegal on Thursday performed the West African nation’s first eye transplant. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye called the milestone a “big step for eye health in our country.” Cheikh Khadim Ndoyem, an ophthalmologist, and Dr. Awa Diama Thiam performed the cornea transplant. Ophthalmic surgeon Andre Mermoud and Dr. Felix Hammer supervised the procedure, which was carried out at the Swiss Visio clinic in Saly Portudal in the seaside resort of Thies. The landmark operation combined “local expertise and international training,” said the president. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the African region is seeing a decrease in vision loss due to vitamin A deficiency, onchocerciasis, and trachoma, but emerging eye health challenges are growing. One in every six blind people globally live in Africa, along with 26 million others grappling with some degree of visual impairment, it said in a report last week. Statistics show only 14% of people who need cataract surgery receive it, while more than 80% of people with shortsightedness receive no treatment. In addition, only 12% of people in Africa who need glasses or surgical interventions to address blurred vision will receive the necessary care, at significant economic cost to countries. “The global estimated costs of uncorrected refractive errors and cataracts is $14.3 billion annually,” said the WHO.
Senegal performs 1st eye transplant Read More »
On Monday, October 14, Senegal’s government, led by Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, unveiled its 25-year development plan, “Senegal 2050.” The initiative aims to reduce foreign dependency and debt by focusing on local resources and human capital. Sonko criticized past development models as failures and cited Japan’s success as a potential model for African nations. The program intends to alleviate poverty, triple per capita income by 2050, and achieve annual economic growth of 6-7%. It will be organized around eight development hubs throughout the country. Sonko also addressed the concerning state of public finances, revealing a larger budget deficit and public debt than previously disclosed. He accused the prior government of manipulating financial data, a claim they denied. Meanwhile, credit rating agency Moody’s has downgraded Senegal’s rating.
Senegal launches ‘2050’ plan to cut debt and boost local resources Read More »
The launch is part of a broader movement in Africa, with 17 nations now having sent more than 60 satellites into orbit
African nations accelerate space race, launch new satellites Read More »
The plan aims to increase energy independence, reduce the budget deficit, and improve governance.
Senegal unveils 25-year economic sovereignty plan Read More »
In Senegal, the upcoming legislative elections on November 17 are seen as a crucial test for the presidential race in March 2024. The opposition coalition, Takku Wallu Senegal, has selected former President Macky Sall as its lead candidate, while the ruling Pastef party is supporting Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko in an effort to maintain a majority in the National Assembly. This sets the stage for a significant political contest between two of Senegal’s most prominent figures. Sall’s potential return to politics, after stepping down for Bassirou Diomaye Faye, represents a pivotal moment in the legislative campaign. Six months after his presidential defeat, his coalition seeks to regain momentum and unite the opposition to challenge the ruling Pastef party’s dominance in parliament.
Senegal’s elections set stage for key 2024 presidential showdown Read More »
The recently inaugurated Faye administration attributed the discrepancies to misleading reports from the former government
Senegal’s dollar bonds slide following audit exposing larger debt, defic... Read More »
Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye of Senegal condemned the UN Security Council for its inaction regarding the deaths and instability in the Sahel during his address to the United Nations General Assembly on September 25. “We cannot accept the Sahel becoming a battleground for foreign rivalries, which only worsen regional destabilization,” Faye stated. He emphasized, “Peace and security in Africa are tied to global peace. The Security Council must fully assume its role as a guarantor of international stability.” He referenced recent comments from Ukrainian officials regarding their involvement in attacks by separatist rebels in northeastern Mali, which drew criticism from Malian authorities. As jihadi threats grow, many Western governments have withdrawn their forces from the Sahel following military coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. In his ten-minute speech, Faye also called for a ceasefire in Gaza and an end to unfair economic practices that hinder the Global South’s prosperity, highlighting issues like illegal trade and tax evasion. The 44-year-old leader urged for better African representation in multilateral institutions and called on developed nations to enhance their efforts in financing a fair transition to combat the climate crisis. “We must protect our planet without compromising the development rights of vulnerable nations,” he stated. Faye also criticized the unilateral imposition of civilizational norms that undermine global stability and peace.
Senegal’s Faye criticizes security council’s inaction on Sahel cri... Read More »
The IMF warns of economic difficulties in Senegal, urging the government to implement reforms to reduce public debt.
Senegal unveils financial review amid challenges Read More »
Senegal’s military reported on Monday that at least 30 bodies have been recovered from a boat along a migrant route off the coast of Dakar. The navy discovered the vessel on Sunday evening and dispatched a patrol to investigate. Authorities indicated that further investigations will provide more details about the boat’s origin and the total number of casualties. This incident follows a separate tragedy earlier in September, when a boat carrying 89 people capsized off Senegal’s coast, resulting in numerous fatalities. Many migrants are fleeing poverty and unemployment in Senegal, aiming for the Canary Islands, which have seen over 22,300 arrivals since the start of the year. The route from West Africa to the Canary Islands is among the deadliest in the world. In August, Senegal’s military announced the arrest of hundreds of migrants and members of smuggling networks.
Senegal’s Military recovers 30 bodies from migrant boat Read More »
