Senegalese parliamentarians have adopted a law to protect whistleblowers, in order to strengthen transparency in the country – a promise made by the government that came to power in April 2024.
Issued on: 27/08/2025 -
A plenary session at the Senegalese National Assembly in Dakar, February 2025. AFP - SEYLLOU
By:Melissa Chemam with RFI
Senegal has become the first French-speaking sub-Saharan country to adopt such a law, according to the Platform for the Protection of Whistleblowers in Africa (PPLAAF).
The text, adopted on Tuesday by members of parliament, aims to protect individuals who, in the course of their professional activity, report or disclose information relating to a crime, financial offence or harm to the public interest.
Whistleblowers can report their information anonymously if they wish, through internal channels within government departments or externally to the relevant authorities, the parliamentary report states.
Those who report information that leads to the recovery of illicit funds or assets will receive a reward of 10 percent of the amount recovered, or an amount determined by the relevant authorities.
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Jimmy Kande, PPLAAF's West Africa director, called it "a historic moment for Senegalese democracy and for the entire continent" – although he said that he regretted the bill's limited scope.
"Whistleblowers seem to be limited to matters of corruption and economic crimes, whereas the scope would usually be much broader, covering environmental, health or human rights issues," he told RFI.
PPLAAF has published a critical analysis of the bill, highlighting key areas for improvement – including broadening the scope of protection, clarifying the notion of “Good Faith”, distinguishing whistleblowers from nominees, protection against retaliation and the creation of a special fund for whistleblowers.
The organisation also wants the new law to distinguish between whistleblowers and "nominees", who are fronts or proxies used by corrupt individuals to hide stolen assets, launder money or evade legal scrutiny.
A corrupt official might place assets in the name of a nominee to disguise their ownership, making them someone acting s a cover for illicit interests rather than exposing them.
France and Senegal look to reset ties as Macron hosts Faye in Paris
However, PPLAAF remains optimistic and hopes the move will inspire other African countries to do the same.
"Adopting a whistleblower protection law is a strong signal," Kande said. "It's there to encourage other countries in the region and other French-speaking countries to adopt laws that protect whistleblowers."
The National Assembly of Senegal also adopted three other laws aimed at strengthening transparency in the country: one on access to information, another on the creation of a body to combat fraud and corruption, and a third that extends asset declarations to magistrates and investigating judges.
(with newswires)
By:Melissa Chemam with RFI
Senegal has become the first French-speaking sub-Saharan country to adopt such a law, according to the Platform for the Protection of Whistleblowers in Africa (PPLAAF).
The text, adopted on Tuesday by members of parliament, aims to protect individuals who, in the course of their professional activity, report or disclose information relating to a crime, financial offence or harm to the public interest.
Whistleblowers can report their information anonymously if they wish, through internal channels within government departments or externally to the relevant authorities, the parliamentary report states.
Those who report information that leads to the recovery of illicit funds or assets will receive a reward of 10 percent of the amount recovered, or an amount determined by the relevant authorities.
Senegal calls on US to withdraw sanctions against ICC magistrates
Jimmy Kande, PPLAAF's West Africa director, called it "a historic moment for Senegalese democracy and for the entire continent" – although he said that he regretted the bill's limited scope.
"Whistleblowers seem to be limited to matters of corruption and economic crimes, whereas the scope would usually be much broader, covering environmental, health or human rights issues," he told RFI.
PPLAAF has published a critical analysis of the bill, highlighting key areas for improvement – including broadening the scope of protection, clarifying the notion of “Good Faith”, distinguishing whistleblowers from nominees, protection against retaliation and the creation of a special fund for whistleblowers.
The organisation also wants the new law to distinguish between whistleblowers and "nominees", who are fronts or proxies used by corrupt individuals to hide stolen assets, launder money or evade legal scrutiny.
A corrupt official might place assets in the name of a nominee to disguise their ownership, making them someone acting s a cover for illicit interests rather than exposing them.
France and Senegal look to reset ties as Macron hosts Faye in Paris
However, PPLAAF remains optimistic and hopes the move will inspire other African countries to do the same.
"Adopting a whistleblower protection law is a strong signal," Kande said. "It's there to encourage other countries in the region and other French-speaking countries to adopt laws that protect whistleblowers."
The National Assembly of Senegal also adopted three other laws aimed at strengthening transparency in the country: one on access to information, another on the creation of a body to combat fraud and corruption, and a third that extends asset declarations to magistrates and investigating judges.
(with newswires)
France and Senegal look to reset ties as Macron hosts Faye in Paris
Historical wounds, economic tensions and new areas of partnership topped the agenda on Wednesday as French President Emmanuel Macron sat down with his Senegalese counterpart, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, at the Élysée Palace.
Issued on: 27/08/2025 - RFI
Frencg President Emmanuel Macron hugs Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye as they arrive for a meeting at the Elysée Palace in Paris on 27 August 2025.
AFP - THIBAUD MORITZ
No subject was taboo for the meeting, which came just weeks after France closed its last military bases in Senegal, ending more than six decades of permanent presence.
One of the most delicate questions on the agenda is Thiaroye – the 1944 massacre of Senegalese soldiers by French forces.
Dakar has long called for the full release of military and judicial archives and for recognition of the scale of the killings. Progress here would be seen in Senegal as a sign of greater balance and transparency in relations.
No subject was taboo for the meeting, which came just weeks after France closed its last military bases in Senegal, ending more than six decades of permanent presence.
One of the most delicate questions on the agenda is Thiaroye – the 1944 massacre of Senegalese soldiers by French forces.
Dakar has long called for the full release of military and judicial archives and for recognition of the scale of the killings. Progress here would be seen in Senegal as a sign of greater balance and transparency in relations.
Mural in Dakar, Senegal, commemorating the Thiaroye massacre in 1944. © Erica Kowal/Flickr/wikemédia.org
Economic ties
Economic disputes are also on the table, including a row over the Dakar-Diamniadio express project. French construction company Eiffage is seeking about €150 million in unpaid bills.
At the same time, both governments want to highlight common goals in sustainable development, education and healthcare.
Beyond bilateral matters, Macron and Faye were expected to exchange views on regional crises and global challenges, from instability in the Sahel to international trade.
Later in the day Faye was due to take part as guest of honour at a major gathering of French business leaders hosted by Medef, the country’s largest employers’ organisation, in a sign of France’s push to position Senegal as a key partner for investment in Africa.
French military to leave Senegal amid ongoing withdrawal from Africa
French military withdrawal
The meeting takes place against the backdrop of France’s military departure from Senegal.
In July, the final French installations in Dakar – the Geille camp and a base at the capital’s airport – were handed over to Senegalese command.
Marked by flag-raisings and a symbolic exchange of keys, the ceremony closed a chapter that dated back to the colonial era.
The withdrawal followed negotiations launched in 2022 and sped up after Faye’s election, with his Pastef party promising to end foreign military bases on Senegalese soil.
It also fits into France’s wider reshaping of its military footprint in Africa, with troop withdrawals this year from Chad and Côte d’Ivoire.
Both governments insist this does not mean an end to security ties. Training missions and cooperation in fields such as maritime surveillance and cybercrime will continue, though without French troops permanently based in Dakar.
“We must reinvent our partnerships in response to the aspirations of a young generation – we no longer need bases to do that,” General Pascal Ianni, France’s commander for Africa, said at the July handover.
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