Senegal - They Say, We Say...

Other countries say...

"Over the past several years, there has been a decrease in fighting between Casamance separatists (MFDC) in southern Senegal and the Senegalese military, but fighting and banditry still occur sporadically. In December 2004, the Government of Senegal and members of the insurgency instituted an end to hostilities and agreed to negotiate with the goal of achieving a definitive end to the armed conflict in the Casamance. There are still pockets of armed rebels and bandits in the countryside, particularly along the borders with The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau. " US State Department

"Most Senegalese are Muslims, although they are tolerant of other customs and religions. However, it is a generally conservative society. You are advised to dress and behave modestly in public outside the main tourist areas. Bars and restaurants usually serve alcoholic drinks but drunkenness is considered offensive. Some Muslims do not shake hands with members of the opposite sex but no rebuff is intended by this. Kissing as a greeting is acceptable but kissing romantically is not. Homosexual acts are illegal in Senegal and there is no gay scene." UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Senegal says...

"Everyone was saying if you go to Spain, there's money and there's work... all his friends were going. He decided voluntarily to take the risk and go and we agreed." Mother of man arrested for attempting to migrate to the Canaries, thence to Spain , June 2006.