Full text: Senegal’s country report to ECOWAS Parliament

INTRODUCTION 

It should be recalled that Member countries’ reports respond to the Community spirit because they also permit to evaluate the practical implementation by our States of the decisions, commitments and orientations of our regional and sub-regional institutions.

In accordance with the proposed format, the prevailing cases in Senegal are the COVID 19 pandemic with all its share of exponential misfortunes, because no sector is spared, the Russo-Ukrainian war, as well as the pre-electoral context.

But allow me first to express my sincere gratitude and my satisfaction to all my colleague members constituting the Senegalese delegation, and to pay glowing tribute, on behalf of our team, to the Rt. Hon. Moustapha NIASSE, Speaker of the National Assembly of Senegal and to H.E. Mr. Macky SALL, President of the Republic, through whom is expressed all the commitment of our country to contribute fully to the institutional base of our Community, a symbol of our desire for sub-regional integration. In the same vein, we pay tribute to the Speaker of our Institution and his entire team.

I Political Situation

1. 1 Political Dialogue Framework

With regard to the political dialogue framework, I told you about the major acts taken by H.E. Mr. Macky SALL, President of the Republic, which made it possible to calm the perceptible political tensions after the February 24, 2019 presidential elections and the 2022 Local elections.

Need we recall the meeting led by the Minister of the Interior, on May 9, 2019, which grouped the political actors around the draft Terms of Reference, a participation of the majority of the political class which triggered an important process of political and social dialogue.

Senegal, it should be remembered, is traditionally known as a country of dialogue beyond its legendary hospitality, the TERANGA.

For his part, the Head of State, Macky SALL continues to receive and listen to each of the leaders of parties from both the Presidential Movement and the Opposition. Following these hearings, he granted a favourable response to several requests made by the Opposition, around the appointment of a neutral, independent and consensual personality, assisted by other like-minded personalities. All this was concretized by the creation of a “cellular commission”, responsible for steering the dialogue.

Fundamentally democratic, the national political dialogue is undoubtedly one of the greatest manifestations of the good will, both of the Head of State and of the national political class in general, to maintain the country’s peace, stability and social cohesion.

The other nagging issue that is being positively handled is the appointment of the Opposition Leader.

In any case, what is important to recall in the context of the political dialogue is that Senegal has taken a major democratic leap thanks to the common will of the entire political class, embodied by the President of the Republic, with the support of civil society and religious and customary communities of all persuasions.

1. 2 Elections

As mentioned earlier, local elections were postponed due to certain organizational prerequisites, adjustment of legal texts and most often on the proposal of opposition parties. By presidential decree, local elections in Senegal were set and held on xxx January 2022. While major cities were won by the Opposition, the Presidential Coalition got the upper hand.

1. 3 Other Major Political Facts

Among other political facts are the release of Khalifa Ababacar SALL and the meeting between Abdoulaye WADE and the President of the Republic, on the occasion of the inauguration of one of the largest mosques in West Africa “Massalikoul Djinane” under the blessing of the Caliph General of the Mourides, Serigne Mountakha Bassirou Mbacké.

This demonstrates once again the important role played by religious leaders of all faiths in the permanent quest for social peace.

Two acts by the President of the Republic have immensely contributed to abating the political climate with a reconsideration of the posture of each party. Indeed, the exchanges between the former and the current President of the Republic are the result of a long demand from all segments of society and have given a strong signal in terms of consolidating our democratic and social achievements.

In summary, Senegal is on the right track in terms of managing its political framework with efforts made on both sides to maintain a social climate that is more than favourable to the expression of democracy, which singularly characterizes our country across the sub-region.

The still heated debate about parity and sponsorship is yet to be brought to the fore.

Contrary to the sponsorship practised elsewhere by the system of grand electors, which favours the ruling party in the major institutions, Senegal has chosen citizen sponsorship, which comes from the entire people, without any discrimination and which has the advantage of eliminating in all democracies, any fanciful candidacy, while reducing the unnecessary number of candidates (47 lists for the 2022 legislative elections) and the cost of elections.

It is for the candidates to secure the sponsorship of 0.8% to 1% of the electorate, i.e. approximately 52,000 signatures, distributed in at least seven of the 14 regions of the country, at the rate of 2,000 per region at least. This sponsorship was not in effect for the local ones but will be for the July 31, 2022 legislative elections. This is how out of the 47 lists, only 8 lists are retained, a considerable gain in several respects.

We cannot fail to recall the March 23, 2021 events following the arrest of Mr. Ousmane SONKO, Member of the National Assembly and leader of the Opposition Party “PASTEF les Patriotes”, who came third in the last 2019 presidential elections: on February 3, 2021, a young Senegalese named Adji Rabi SARR filed a complaint with the National Gendarmerie Research Brigade against Mr. SONKO. It should be noted that the State of Senegal considers this subject as a legal matter concerning two citizens, satisfied with strictly playing its role, that of ensuring respect for the rights of each of the two parties.

The legal proceedings are ongoing.

The underpinnings of the demonstrations are in fact not the person of Sonko, but much more the expression in the streets of an unhappiness and frustration exacerbated by the impacts of an economic crisis aggravated by the effects of the Covid-19 on the daily life of Senegalese. This situation has resulted in job losses for the youth and women, the restriction of freedoms with the imposition of a curfew and the ban on gatherings of all kinds.

Despite the violence observed among some of the demonstrators, the Defence and Security forces, as seasoned professionals, were able to deal with these mood swings with discernment and restraint and maintained order.

These demonstrations nevertheless resulted in the loss of 14 lives. This is why, in his capacity as Father of the Nation, President Macky SALL delivered an important message to the Nation hailed by all and considered to be the factor which brought peace and serenity to Senegal. Through this reassuring message, he is resolutely committed to providing strong, effective and lasting solutions to the concerns and living conditions of our compatriots.

The Head of State has thus taken measures concerning, on the one hand, relaxing the curfew linked to the health disaster in the regions of Dakar and Thiès, and on the other, support for the youth to meet, in a substantial and urgent way, the needs for training, employment and financing of projects, support for the entrepreneurship of the youth and women, as well as in the informal sector: more than 10,000 jobs, including 5,000 teachers and funding for projects for the youth and women to the tune of over 600 billion.

• Security Situation

The security situation in Senegal has so far been stable compared to the overall situation in the Region. If it was marked, in 2018, by the trial of Imam Ndao, accused of terrorism and the March 2021 events, stability currently prevails in this area. Senegal, nevertheless, remains on alert.

With regard to the series of crimes and violence against children, measures have been taken by reinforcing neighbourhood security, but also by resorting to parents’ sensitisation-based communication.

It should be emphasized that in both cases, the government has taken firm measures to combat, with all the necessary energy, all forms of violence against the populations, be it endogenous or exogenous. This is the context that explains the observed proliferation of local police stations in several districts of Dakar and other regions (Parcelles, Guediawaye etc…), the establishment and strengthening of new border posts (Kedougon, Tamba, Goudomp etc…)

2.1      Specific Counter-terrorism Measures (Law/Institution or Special Agency)

In the context of the fight against terrorism, it should be remembered that the President of the French Republic signed the Christchurch appeal in Paris against online dissemination of terrorist content.

In its bid to become a leader in the fight against cybercrime, I would like to point out that Senegal has set up a special division in this area, dependent on the judicial police.

We have also, as part of measures to counter terrorism, opened a national school of cybersecurity with a regional calling, currently housed at the National School of Administration (E N A) pending its transfer to the new urban centre of Diamniadio where work started.

The 6th edition of the Forum on Peace and Security in Africa organized on November 18 and 19, 2019 still participates today in this dynamic of the fight against terrorism in all its forms.

This forum was reinforced by the 7^th forum last December in Dakar on the theme “Challenges of stability and emergence in Africa in a post-COVID-19 world” which permitted to consolidate the major place of this event in the continental agenda.

2         State of Operations of the National Commission for Light Weapons

The National Commission for the Fight against Small Arms and Light Weapons continues to work on communication and sensitisation around the possession and use of small arms.

In its approach, it is also concerned with enlightening citizens on the current context which would place Casamance at the forefront of the possession of small arms. The work carried out shows that the reality is quite different since on the side-lines of the first day of restitution of the activities of the sensitisation campaign, collection, marking and destruction of SALW, the actors of the Commission discovered that small arms could be found everywhere in Senegal. It is the situation in Casamance that leads to the stigmatization of the southern region.

The problem is more perceived in urban areas without however assuming worrying proportions. However, a plea is made for the modification of the January 18, 1966 Law 66-03 relating to the general regime of arms and ammunition and its implementing decree. These amendments take into account certain types of weapons that go beyond the seven categories of weapons contained in the old text and also take into account certain types of dynamites, ammunition and other related materials.

However, pending the modification, the National Commission for the Fight against the Proliferation and Illicit Circulation of Alpc, under the aegis of the Minister of the Armed Forces, continues to raise public awareness of the law concerning weapons with more and more intensity and rigour.

With the latest events in Casamance marked by the taking of soldiers from the ECOWAS contingent in Gambia hostage, the Senegalese army responded with the total dismantling of all rebel bases along the borders with Guinea in the South and especially Gambia in the North of Casamance.

2.3     Other Security Threats or Threat Situation

Currently Senegal enjoys a stable security climate since there are no palpable threats. This does not mean that the authorities are not on the alert on the issue, given the sub-regional context.

• Human Rights Situation

3.1     State of Operations of the National Commission/Agency in charge

In Senegal, the Senegalese Human Rights Commission (CSDH) is the national Human Rights institution established by Decree No. 70-453 of April 22, 1970, in accordance with the recommendations of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly.

This Human Rights Compliance Committee monitors the human situation of Senegalese residing in the country just as those in the Diaspora as well as that of foreigners living inside the country. Moreover, as part of their communication, the Committee organizes an annual training session in International Human Rights. It was also hosted for discussions and evaluations at the beginning of November 2019, in 2020 and 2021, in audience with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

3.2      State of Respect/Promotion of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms (Freedom of the Press and Opinion, Rights of Assembly and Demonstration)

Respecting and promoting fundamental rights and freedoms is no longer a debate in Senegal. Indeed, the democratic and legal systems are such that it is possible for any Senegalese to freely express their point of view in the various fora without any risk of reprimand. However, this freedom remains restricted, as in any State. This recalls the Sacred Principle of equality of all citizens before the law, within the overall framework of respect for the country’s laws and institutions.

3.3 Specific Situation/Measures:

– Mention should be made of Senegal’s significant efforts in the areas of:

1. Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities;

1. Promotion of the Rights of Women: (equal) rights to land, training and functions;

1. Protection of the Rights of the Child; and

1. Situation of Refugees and Homeless Persons.

IV     State of Implementation of Community Texts

4.1     State of Ratification of Community Texts

The State of Senegal has always had the objective of ratifying all Community texts. More than 55 texts have been ratified to date, which places Senegal among the first Member States to do so. This dynamic remains constant insofar as the elected representatives advocate for the ratification of the texts in a continuously. Even if it is sometimes difficult to obtain consensus in the current political context, it is important to underscore that Senegal is up-to-date with most Community texts.

4.2      Specific Situation or Measures relating to the Implementation of Community Texts

This, on the one hand, hinges on free movement of persons and goods, and on the other, the fight against corruption and money laundering.

• State of Implementation of Community Programmes and Projects: Infrastructure and Transport Projects

5.1 ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Programme

Senegal has been fully implementing the provisions of the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (TLS) since January 1, 2004. In this context, the authorities have put in place all the institutional mechanisms necessary for the effectiveness of the rules relating to the definition of the origins of products, the allocation of approvals and certificates of origin.

Thus, the National Approval Committee operates satisfactorily and plays its role in scrutinising the applications for approval of companies in the TLS (Trade Liberalisation Scheme)

Currently the Ministry in charge of ECOWAS has finished:

— listing Senegalese companies with import-export capacities but which have not yet been approved for the SLE due to their lack of knowledge of this instrument and/or the procedures for applying for approval;

— holding regular training sessions for previously identified operators on the SLE. Information on the benefits of the Scheme as well as advice on its membership procedures will be provided to them;

—helping them prepare their accreditation application files which will be submitted to the National Accreditation Committee (CNA)

5.2 Implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy (ECOWAP)

 Like the other Member States, Senegal has developed its National Agricultural Investment, Food and Nutritional Security Programme (PNIASAN), aligned with the objectives of the CAADP and the ECOWAS Common Agricultural Policy (ECOWAP). This process was officially launched on February 16, 2017. The technical validation of the programme document took place on December 10 and 11, 2018. Since then, this policy has guided the choices of the Government of Senegal.

5.3     Community Programmes in the Area of Gender

In conjunction with the competent departments of the Ministry of Women, Family, Gender and Child Protection, the ECOWAS National Office coordinates and monitors the implementation of the programmes of the ECOWAS Centre for Gender Development based in Dakar, focusing in particular on:

-medical and financial support for the care of women and girls suffering from obstetric fistula;

– support for the promotion of young girls in the sector of specialized technical and vocational training through the provision of scholarships for excellence;

– technical and financial support for female processors of agricultural, fishery and handicraft products.

In this context, on May 28, 2019, an ECOWAS Excellence Scholarships Awards ceremony was held for young girls who were beneficiaries for the year 2018. As a reminder, the Inter-Ministerial Selection Committee selected 45 beneficiaries, including 5 renewals and 40 new allocations, for an amount of FCFA 16,050,000.

This commendable boost continues and is being strengthened.

5.4     Local Infrastructure Projects

The State of Senegal is on the right track with regard to the implementation of local infrastructure projects. Among the most obvious are:

– The Regional Express Train which was inaugurated at the end of 2018. Articulated with other modes of transport by a cleverly thought-out feeder system, the TER is a real revolution in mobility in the capital and surroundings and soon to cities and neighbouring regions. The project is being carried out in two phases: a first phase from the Dakar station to Diamniadio (36 km) and a second phase from Diamniadio to AIBD airport (19 km).

– Added to this is the launch of the BRT. (RAPIDE TRANSIT BUS), Special bus service.

– The Ila Touba Highway which has finished demonstrating its full role in mass transportation but also in the free flow of economic trade between Touba and Dakar. This 113 km highway mobilizes 7,000 temporary jobs and 500 permanent jobs with a total cost of 418 billion.

– With the signing of the new MCA for more than 500 billion with the USA, Senegal will resolutely extend its road network by the construction of new imposing infrastructure; the Dakar-St Louis highway, the Sénoba-Mpack road linking the northern (Gambia) and southern (Guinea-Bissau) borders of Casamance, the reconstruction of the Ziguinchor and Tobor bridges, the Marsassoum road and bridge, the modernization of regional airports etc…

– The associated works of the Trans Gambian bridge, finalized and handed over, are thus a complement in the movement of persons and goods between the two countries of Senegal and Gambia, towards Casamance and Guinea-Bissau in response to the gigantic West African corridor project.

– The large Foundiougne toll bridge, 1,540 m long, is located in the Fatick Region: it connects the town of Fatick to Foundiougne, facilitates the restoration of the N6 National road at the Saloum river and thus ensures the free flow of traffic between N1, N4, N5, and N6.

In the field of sports, we note the Dakar Arena and its annexed athletics track, but the major event is the inauguration of the new stadium in Senegal, which bears the emblematic name of President Abdoulaye Wade.

The Nations Cup won by Senegal, and for the first time, had incalculable beneficial social effects.

VI     Economic and Social Situation:

6.1     Economic Growth

The link between the implementation of the PSE (Emerging Senegal Plan) and economic growth is well established. Indeed, this policy emphasizes the development of infrastructure and the improvement of citizens’ consumption. This growth has been consolidated since 2019 with the implementation of the projects and reforms planned in the second phase of the PSE. A priority action plan based on well-identified axes has permitted to achieve, through the structural transformation of the economy, strong, inclusive and sustainable growth of more than 6%. This rate has unfortunately been slowed down, or even wiped out by COVID-19, bringing it back to around 1.7%, a rate that meets the general average of the ECOWAS zone. This situation will still suffer from the harmful effects of the war in Ukraine (price hikes, food and energy shortages…)

1. Fight against Poverty

The fight against poverty, along with that against inequality, is a priority for the State of Senegal. Indeed, since the implementation of the PUDC, other programmes aimed at promoting youth employment and local consumption have been implemented throughout the country. The financing of the Delegation to Rapid Entrepreneurship (DER), the establishment of Community Agricultural Domains (DAC), the PUMA, among others, are included in this framework. All these initiatives, which have had a favourable response with the masses, aim to boost self-employment in a context of low training rates for the youth.

The events of March 2021, characterized as a popular revolt, particularly by young people looking for jobs, enabled the government of Senegal to take appropriate measures, strong measures such as the immediate implementation of more than 600 billion to finance youth projects and recruit nearly 65,000 young people, including 5,000 teachers who have already been trained. Beyond the solidarity scholarships allocated to the neediest households, the government has also allocated various forms of support to the most impoverished families.

1. Fight against Youth Unemployment

From the above, an important part already concerns youth employment. Indeed, the informal sector being more buoyant given the low rate of academic training, vocational training is one of the most plausible avenues to give a boost to the employability of young people. In this context, phase II of the PSE devotes its first initiative to education and vocational training. This initiative is accompanied by the development of new sectors such as industry, oil and gas, all of which provide jobs for the country’s young people alongside other vital sectors such as agriculture, tourism and crafts, major job providers.

Thus, in partial response to the announcements made by the President of the Republic in the aftermath of the March 23, 2021 riots, the State proceeded to the massive recruitment of young people (more than 10,000 direct jobs including 5,000 in Education and Training) and the rest in such important sectors as agriculture, health, environment and living environment, infrastructure etc…

     c)- Other Major Economic Facts

In this section, it is important to mention the recent discovery of oil and gas as well as the economic benefits expected from their exploitation. The first barrels are expected in 2023. To anticipate this particularly favourable economic climate, initiatives have been taken with the creation of the ore and bulk carrier Bargny-Sendou-Yenne port, the Ndayane port and other industries capable of positioning themselves in the long term with these new opportunities.

1. COVID-19, Russo-Ukrainian War and their Socioeconomic Impacts

The unexpected COVID-19 pandemic not only slowed down major growth efforts, but also terribly ruined our country’s economy and upset all development levers, despite the control and support measures that have been implemented by the State of Senegal and its partners.

To curb the negative impact of COVID-19 and recently the war in Ukraine, the Government of Senegal has set up an Economic and Social Resilience Programme (PRES), for very short-term actions, with a response fund called “Force COVID-19” of an amount of FCFA 1,000 billion, or 7% of GDP. This fund permitted to relieve the most affected households and the companies directly affected by the shock as well as the Diaspora.

The Government has also adopted the Priority Action Plan (PAP) for phase II of the Emerging Senegal Plan (PSE), commonly referred to as PAP 2A, in order to mitigate the negative effects of crises, relaunch socioeconomic activities and restore the economy to the path of recovery

Today, we must recognize the very satisfactory results achieved by Senegal through its mobilized departments.

The ongoing massive vaccination campaign of the populations is producing tangible results, to the great satisfaction of the people, the Senegalese Government and its partners and friends around the world. A few rare cases are still to be deplored in the daily newspapers: the major restrictions have been lifted but vigilance must continue.

Significant support and recovery measures have been undertaken in all vital sectors of the country’s socio-economic life to deal with the new difficulties linked to the war in Ukraine, namely:

– Food shortages, especially cereals (Wheat)

– Shortage of gasoline and gas

– Price hikes. Etc…

VII     State of Implementation of Macroeconomic Convergence Criteria

The world economy continues to evolve in a global context marked by the Sino-American trade war and the Brexit which has just experienced its epilogue and even today the Russo-Ukrainian war at a time when our states are trying to recover from the harmful effects of COVID.

Internally, economic activity, measured by the general index of non-agricultural activity (IGA), reveals a consolidation of 1.8% until the start of 2021. But with the above-mentioned two major events, this consolidation is actually slowed down despite the efforts of the State.

In terms of inflation, consumer prices, which remained generally stable in quarterly variation, are now on the rise.

In terms of price competitiveness, the Senegalese economy recorded a gain of 0.9% in quarterly variation, under the favourable effect of the inflation differential (-1.5%) mitigated by the appreciation of the CFA franc ( +0.6%) against the currencies of the main trading partners. Today, we must recognize that COVID-19, and now the war in Ukraine, have deeply undermined these efforts, having affected all key sectors of the economy.

Nevertheless, with regard to public finances, budget performance was marked, at the end of the second quarter of 2022, by a sustained increase in resources and satisfactory execution of public expenditure, despite at a slower pace.

Finally, concerning the monetary situation, it consolidated by 475.1 billion (+9.6%), reflecting an improvement of 798.2 billion (+19.0%) in domestic claims and a deterioration in net foreign assets monetary institutions of 207.7 billion (-10.5%).

Exports from Senegal to ECOWAS are valued at 132.2 billion in the first quarter of 2022 compared to 142.7 billion in the previous quarter, a decrease of 7.3% (-10.4 billion). They thus represent 25.7% of the total value of merchandise exports for the first quarter of 2022 compared to 27.7% in the previous quarter, i.e. a slight drop of 2.0 percentage points.

The embargo situation on Mali has also had its negative effect on Senegal, Mali’s great gateway to the West.

As for imports from ECOWAS countries, they are established at 49.7 billion in the first quarter against 117.5 billion in the previous quarter, a decrease of 67.8 billion. They thus represent 11.0% of the total value of imports of goods against 70.0% the previous quarter.

With the advent of COVID-19, the entire economic system is still being tested, a situation that may worsen depending on the evolution of the war in Ukraine.

Convergence Criteria

• Primary Criteria

1- Overall fiscal deficit forecast targeted 3.0% for December 2021.

2- The inflation rate averaged 1.0% at the end of May, i.e. below the 5% threshold set within the framework of multilateral surveillance within ECOWAS.

• 3- No funding of the budget deficit was contracted from the Central Bank. But with the pandemic, everything was revised.
• Secondary Criteria

1- Outstanding public debt should stand at 49.8% of GDP as at end of April 2022, below the 70% threshold used as part of multilateral surveillance;

2- The Nominal Effective Exchange Rate (NEER): the NEER evolved by −1.2%

at the end of April 2022 compared to the second half of 2021. This change is within the range of -/+ 10% used as part of multilateral surveillance.

VIII      Environment and Climate Change

In Senegal, climate change is an already significant threat and several facts can illustrate this: A drop in rainfall of about 300 mm in 30 years; More intense rains of shorter duration; A temperature increase of about 1.7°C in 30 years; Etc. The negative impacts are also multiple: Advance of the sea; coastal erosion; desertification; reduction of mangroves; loss of arable land and pasture; reduced availability of water for irrigation, drinking and other productive activities, etc.

In addition to these challenges, there is the marginalization of certain social strata (especially women, children and vulnerable groups), who face cultural, formal and informal obstacles in accessing and controlling resources (land), government services and markets.

To provide answers to this situation, the State has initiated, from independence to the present day, development policies in this direction. The various planning documents drawn up for the operationalization of the said policies have led to the diversification of agriculture, a slight increase in the rate of economic growth and the improvement of the contribution of agriculture to GDP, even if it is still low. However, these various policies are still struggling to significantly reduce the extent of poverty, which is likely to worsen with the consequences of climate change.

To be noted in Senegal’s agenda, the organization from March 21 to 26 in Dakar of the International Water Summit, an event which was held for the first time in Sub-Saharan Africa and which mobilized the whole world with more than 6,000 participants, including Heads of State and Government, International Institutions and Organizations and Experts from all over the world.

In the same vein as the previous COP.21 held in France, several measures and decisions were adopted there.

We were reminded of the climate agreement, aimed at limiting global temperature to 2°C by 2050. This universal and historic agreement entered into force from 2020 and is applicable to all countries that have ratified it. Each State that is Party to the agreement will have to implement its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).

The Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) is the national roadmap for national commitments to the Paris Agreement. It is part of the PSE, was developed under the supervision of the Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development in collaboration with the participation of sectoral experts, local communities, civil society and the involvement of the State, has permitted to produce a set of significant actions that demonstrate Senegal’s commitment to contributing to the collective challenge of climate change.

As part of this document, Senegal has set itself a target of reducing its GHG emissions by 21% by 2030. For an overall cost of 21.5 billion US dollars.

                     Ongoing Actions regarding the Implementation of the NDC

Grid-injected solar power plants:

– The share of renewable energy sources with solar power plants injected into the network, whose installed electricity production capacity, currently 23%, will increase significantly in order to facilitate the achievement of the new objectives set by the Government (30%).

– The deployment of energy efficiency.

– The deployment of mass transport (less fuel consumption) with BRT, TER, hybrid taxis.

– The National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process for real registration.

And implementation of adaptation in development policy.

8.1 Other Relevant Specific Measures Taken with regard to the Environment and Climate Change

Development of projects under the Green Climate Fund for the purposes of implementing the NDC: 5 projects approved:

• The Salt Lands Restoration Project for improving the resilience of ecosystems and communities in the Groundnut Basin: It is funded at a total cost of USD 8.2 million.
• The Integrated Flood Management Project in Senegal: The total cost of the project is 71 million Euros including a grant of 15 million Euros from the GCF.

€50 million from AFD in a concessional loan and a contribution from Senegal of €6 million.

• The “Building the climate resilience of vulnerable small farmers

through integrated climate risk management (the 4Rs initiative)” Project. The cost of the project is USD 10.72 million.

• The International Project on the structural transformation of climate-sensitive finance with the French Development Agency for a total amount of US$742 million with GCF co-financing of US272.5 million.
• The Promotion of the use of improved stoves project with 58.822 million euros and GIZ as an accredited entity.

9.2      Measures Taken to Settle Arrears  

It is defined that out of a total amount of assessments of FCFA 124,728,212,396 over the period under review, an amount of FCFA 108,249,225,622 was received in the CL account, i.e. a cumulative balance of FCFA 16,479,721,774 to be paid back. Of this amount, the General Directorate of Public Accounting and the Treasury informed that it had recovered FCFA 12,004,494,411 to be transferred to the ECOWAS account at the BCEAO. The difference of FCFA 4,475,227,363 has also just been used and paid after the mission reminded the Senegalese party of the provisions of Article 10 of the Protocol on the CL which stipulate that the CL, once collected, must be transferred to the ECOWAS account within a period not exceeding one month.

This means that our country joins the countries in good standing.

Challenges in Community Levy Implementation

^➢ 

• The Senegalese group recommends that the ECOWAS Commission:

• Open the reflection on the rereading of the Protocol on the CL to take care of the concerns of Member States regarding, particularly, the subjection of petroleum products and the cancellations of customs declarations for which the CL is already collected and returned to the ECOWAS account at the BCEAO;
• Study the possibility of organizing a meeting of the CL Monitoring Committee extended to the members of the AFC, to evaluate the implementation of the Protocol and make proposals to the decision-making bodies.

X Sensitisation Activities Conducted or recommended by MPs

A wrestling tournament was also organized in Dakar and sponsored by the Senegalese delegation with the aim of carrying the activities of the Community and consolidating the links between the various sportsmen.

This traditional activity is now part of the sporting agenda of all Senegalese wrestlers and plays a major role in maintaining links between the various participating countries.

The Senegalese side recommends the organization of sub-regional festivals to enhance the rich cultural heritage of our peoples.

Restitution of the Meeting of the ECOWAS Parliament’s Sessions to the National Assembly

With regard to the restitution of the meetings of the ECOWAS Parliament’s Sessions, the MPs do not renege in informing, in their national plenary interventions and will continue to do so.

Conclusion

A glance at this report shows that the political situation in Senegal is stable. Despite political differences and tensions perceived between the parties, as in any representative democracy, the contours are mastered and the State is in charge.

With regard to security, Senegal remains in a logic of preserving the achievements in terms of internal stability while ensuring the containment of external threats relating to tensions linked to terrorism in the sub-region.

On the human rights situation, Senegal strives to assert the rights of all segments of the population by integrating positive discriminatory measures against women and young people, levers of development.

With regard to economic growth, the indicators are progressing despite the difficulties encountered. Ongoing State projects will see the indicators evolve significantly by 2023.

The implementation of community texts is on the right track. However, efforts are expected in the context of adaptation to climate change. Requiring significant economic resources, this issue, which is slow to see positive outcomes, nevertheless remains at the centre of debates in the various bodies concerned.

This briefly summarizes this presentation, thank you for your attention.

Thank you very.