The country that never had a military coup - BBC Africa

Senegal is an example of democracy in an unstable region. But over the past few years, the country was rocked by widespread protests.
Can these tensions threaten the peace in the county?
The BBC’s Mayeni Jones explains.
#senegalese #sénégal #senegal
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[@NitoKuvell]

Mozambique, Angola, South Africa, Botswana, E-swatini, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, Namibia, Mauritius, are African countries that never had a military coup as well so it is not only Senegal.

[@PyroManZII]

The distinction made with Senegal is that it is in a region that has had 6 coups just in the last 4 years. Most of these nations mentioned here are all concentrated in the South or East of Africa. For a West African nation and one located in the Sahel, Senegal is certainly an outlier when it comes to stability and democracy.

[@HM-kg8so]

Indeed. I think they at the beginning made the point that is unique for the region where it’s located

[@douglasmuriuki5684]

Kenya had one in 1982 which lasted hours

[@user-ni2xi3bl3f]

​@@douglasmuriuki5684It almost happened, didn't though.

[@IK_MK]

@@douglasmuriuki5684 coup attempts don't count, otherwise even the US would've made the list😂😂😂

[@shakesinthehouse]

I met one of my closest friends in uni and she is senegalese. I would love to visit her country one day.

[@oumarkathiam9825]

I am a senegalese citizen you are wrong to say that Dia tried to lead a coup.

[@ousseynoungom9937]

Waawaw bro. They don’t undeserving the whole history I think

[@Jakarta48fans]

Well but not successful right

[@oumarkathiam9825]

@@Jakarta48fans false, it's a lie.

[@dreuvasdevil9395]

he tried to coup you little bitch@@oumarkathiam9825

[@leonardowynnwidodo9704]

Articles state otherwise, in which he did attempt a coup in Senegal

[@pearls1626]

During that turbulent period of African fighting to liberate themselves from European colonization, France would repeatedly use many ex Foreign legionnaires to carry out coups against elected presidents: * - On January 1st, 1966, Jean-Bédel Bokassa, an ex french foreign legionnaire, carried a coup against David Dacko, the first President of the Central African Republic. * - On January 3, 1966, Maurice Yaméogo, the first President of the Republic of Upper Volta, now called Burkina Faso, was victim of a coup carried by Aboubacar Sangoulé Lamizana, an ex French legionnaire who fought with french troops in Indonesia and Algeria against these countries independence. * - on 26 October 1972, Mathieu Kérékou who was a security guard to President Hubert Maga, the first President of the Republic of Benin, carried a coup against the president, after he attended French military schools from 1968 to 1970.

[@maskttr]

thanks for the tip

[@Awa.C1]

Macky Sale is worse than the other three Senegalese presidents, he made a constitutional coup but the United Senegalese people, together, did not let him do as when he wanted to force for a third term. Unfortunately, young lives have fallen so that this election can be held, may Allah have mercy on them and welcome them to paradise... Now he only has to respect the choice of the Senegalese and not yet try to confiscate their vote. Inchaa Allah, Sunday, March 24, 2024, be millions to sweep in polling stations throughout Senegal and in the diaspora to definitively change this country. My card, my voice !!!

[@phoenixr6811]

Thank you for this 👏🏾🥰

[@chao7514]

Please preserve your democracy. Democracy can topple by your own hands, by force, By Foreign Influence. Please. Freedom is precious. Your Choice is precious.

[@boySanakara]

I have been following BBC africa for a while now and I have been very grateful about your works digging into the current Senegal political situation. But you have got a major point here wrong about President Mamadou Dia attempts coup, whom was falcially accused of such action only to put him behind bars by president Senghor. President Dia was a people man he was great leader who wanted Senegalese complete freedom from the French, which President Senghor was not seeing from eye to eye, and as time goes by and Dia was seen by the regime as a threat and they plummed him with false accused, put him against the religious housses and the civil society. Becareful about what you put out there and do more research before taking such initiative, I invite you watch a full documentary about President Dia before hes death as he goes back in time about his journey.

[@thiernooumarsow6019]

Thanks a lot, me too, I'll show them that it's a big mistake about Mamadou's Dias history, that was not the truth.

[@solarprogeny6736]

we get it, you have a personality cult

[@kristenaronson5219]

you are right about your title. Senegal indeed never had a coup d'état. but you are wrong in your map showing Niger had only 1 coup d'état since 2020. do your homework please.

[@user-se3bw8ku8i]

when the young are given basic education their minds start to understand things. it is the only way to ensure their future for themselves. all nations must work together to make it compulsory to educate their children

[@arynrowland862]

Wow 75% of Senegal is under 35 years of age! A lot of potential there.

[@Gia-mg5nx]

It's not as simple as that

[@mistasendiop3378]

Full version???

[@MrKostkapotocki]

I am from Poland and I can relate to Senegal. We are European country without high speed railway.

[@azomboup]

What she said about Mamadou Dia is not true 😂 What a lie 🙄

[@jpnduw1222]

We’ve had 2 coups they’re just weren’t military coups .

[@kennethwilliams7697]

It is huge mistake to exclude young people from the political process when they are 75% of the population. It's a mistake that may prove to be costly to those currently in power.

[@mutafire]

is this supposed to be some sort of laudable feat?

[@EsseQuamViderity]

Setting the bar high.

[@aynrandfan7454]

I was just in Senegal…great beaches and Gorée island is amazing…weather was perfect too

[@solarprogeny6736]

this is so tone deaf

[@aynrandfan7454]

@@solarprogeny6736 cry me a river 😂

[@rodrigues709]

Cool

[@fpnjie]

That's not true, read history and about Mamadou Dia

[@Buurba_Jolof]

And ? There wasn't any coup in the time of Mamadou Dia

[@amadougaye8638]

Yeah that's not true mamadou dia didn't try to lead a coup it's a false history

[@degreeskelvin3025]

Imma let more comments about Mammadou Dia simmer and then come back

[@kuchojoe500]

Tanzania never had military take over

[@knekoosh1613]

Yet until I come..

[@kayagunduz7490]

Not yet

[@yeetian2774]

They must have paid extra attention to US embassy.

[@user-fq5fu6qy2g]

Well kenya never has too

[@TheTororist]

SA, Botswana, Zambia, Tz, etc the headline should be specific to west africa

[@danrono9725]

We had a failed coup in 1982

[@wayando]

🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪

[@wayando]

​@@danrono9725... Failed doesn't count. And it was like half a day. They barely did anything.

[@pearls1626]

Who cares

[@redacted4ever-298]

There is a lot of other countries who have never had a military coup (Obviously) like India, South Korea, UK, etc.

[@Samdistrict3265]

Didnt know that India, South Korea and UK were part of the Sahel region 🤔

[@redacted4ever-298]

Channel is BBC Africa sure, but title is still misleading.@@Samdistrict3265

[@ohyeaiknowthat]

Oh wow, it makes complete sense to include those countries on a channel called BBC News Africa. Where the video is obviously centered around the African continent. I swear people like you need to go back to school.

[@IK_MK]

@@Samdistrict3265 apparently they are, I wanna know how they're handling the Al Qaida insurgency groups that side 😂

[@ebrimadibba4383]

Which Africa 🌍 s country s we need to change s Government s , Because now young people s we Developed s Food s And working s of the young s people s ,

[@scoobydoodoo876]

Who is going to tell them about the constant war for independence in cassamance region which is about half the country?

[@walnutsss]

How is Casamance half the Country when it’s literally just the land under Gambia

[@patricksmart5673]

The best, most talented people leave the country to use their skills in Europe. look how many African footballers are playing in the premier league. For every African footballer who plays in Europe, a European needs to play in Africa. That was talent can be redistributed.

[@IK_MK]

The title makes it feel like not having had a coup is a major achievement 🤦🏾‍♂️ No it means you have a NORMAL functioning country No hate but the title could be something else and still celebrate Senegals good democracy

[@southindie999]

You are missing the point

[@Evemeister12]

This is Africa we're talking about. Never having a coup is a true achievement.

[@briopalumpus8676]

@@Evemeister12 🤣🤣🤣

[@sals1231]

Coups are caused by who????Who mostly is behind the coups in Africa???The west and so don't treat us like children,even the children are now smarter than the adults.

[@godlistenmnkeni2454]

​@@Evemeister12It's still not, as Africans really need to raise our standards and expectations if we are to get this continent anywhere.

[@tommyliangwei3724]

Posted on 21st February 2024

[@njabulombuyazi5132]

The military point is crucial (especially in that region). Namibia, South Africa, Botswana, although Southern African countries, all have "republican armies/militaries" - The Armed forces are loyal to the constitution and not to a singular person or political party. This is why the Military Brass should steer clear of Politics. Hope for the future always remains when a country still has a functional democracy. Senegal I might add played a role in preserving Gambia's Democracy through ECOWAS

[@andregabrielbadji1373]

DIA never tried to lead a coup he had a disagreement with president Senghor

[@clementgavi7290]

The country that never had a military coup, you say. But what does that mean when the country that had the first deadly military coup in Africa's history and that is a 60+year-old dynastic tyranny in the same West Africa as Senegal, is the chief negotiator for countries of Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific in the framework of parliamentary cooperation with the European Union and where someone called Robert Dussey who has been a Seminarist, a Beatitudes Monk, a Franciscan, all these to end up as a zealous servant of a dynastic tyranny in Africa has the title of chief negotiator for nations on earth? Isn't it a sort of organized madness?

[@clarak.mallah4137]

Now that they have a new president, the democracy will even be stronger.

[@guyoverthere3098]

Many other countries never had coups as well

[@omyhaby1912]

And One of the Poorest..... currently form of Democracy doesn't benefit ordinary citizen and it will never will in Africa

[@Newgate10]

Mâcha ALLAH 🙏🏾🙄

[@Vejamaestro]

South African never had one too

[@IsabellaCoelho]

Never had a military coup? *Brazil left the room*

[@mouhamedseck6996]

I would say that Dia's coup attempt was only an indictment piecewisely made up by Senghor because he wanted to get rid of him as he did with Omar Blodin Diop, and Cheikh Anta Diop.

[@SizweCooks]

South Africa

[@colberthunter12]

Senegal is in a unique position, they must look at all of Africa like entrepreneur Americans looked at all the Separate States, taking something regional to a national level. Senegal needs to build a continental Amazon that ship's different African good's continent wide they also need to Start an Africa infrastructure project that connects the whole West Coast of Africa from the top to the bottom, this needs to be a compact with all the African countries that touch the Atlantic ocean with a deep water port in every country, this is what they should take to the I.M.F for loan's for with the condition that the I.M.F send in Western infrastructure engineers and use African labor from each country for each countries stretch of the infrastructure, this will create disposable income that those countries can build on to increase their tax base to pay back the loans, Also give all creditor countries for the infrastructure project a discount on the deep water ports to help pay down the loans, Senegal must have it's people along side the infrastructure engineers learning, so when the build into the interior of the continent they can do so with their engineers, the Youth of Senegal need to think Big and think about the economic conquest of the continent the tribes will follow whoever can help them make money and progress no matter who is running their governments.

[@abdul-kabiralegbe5660]

So they think they're better than the other countries that experienced coups? That's just coup snobbery! 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@walnutsss]

Literally no one thinks that, at least none of us Senegaleses we have other things to worry about atm

[@abdul-kabiralegbe5660]

@@walnutsss I was being satirical....

[@analyticalmindset]

​@@walnutsss western audiences definitely judge African nations incorrectly based on their anounts of coups

[@samuelb-1406]

Looks like this country's going to be on America's list

[@Sam2476-1]

How lucky they are,my country had been always destroyed democracy by the coup

[@animeweng]

No coup...yet. 😶 Time to jinx it.

[@JJ-zv1hp]

So when we here in Texas meet Senegalese individuals working for uniform distribution it must mean future stability is not as stable as is being promoted #Franceembassy

[@ranjansingh4123]

Isn't India also a country where Coup didn't happen ever, where it's neighborhood is plagued by coup from time to time. Pakistan, Bangladesh, mayanmar, Afghanistan & Srilanka all had coup

[@hellenicculture8169]

αυτο ηθελα να πω και εγω, τοτε η σενεγαλη να γινει η μονιμος και αρχηγος της αφρικανικης ενωσης κρατων θα κανει πολυ καλο σε ολη την ηπειρο

[@jeremyhodge6216]

The last only democracy in West Africa. How interesting 🤔

[@weroc-a-fellas169]

Of course, they never had coup d´etat because they spend their time organizing coup d´etat in Gambia and Guinea-Bissau

[@freegalsen5556]

U just liar .

[@walnutsss]

Stop spreading lies

[@weroc-a-fellas169]

@@walnutsss you live your entire life persecuting Yaya Jameh and Guinea-Bissau democracy, ask your militars what we did them in 1997, there many senegaleses militars protecting Umaro Sissoco, can you tell why?

[@RobespierreThePoof]

It is very disappointing that so many African countries have had so many coups. If Senegal has found a better way then perhaps Senegal needs to rule over the rest. Ha

[@DavidRodriguez-wp7zi]

Senegal for sure is an example for all sub Saharan Africa

[@mountainous_port]

Botswana Angola

[@lilianmatari8722]

Tanzania has never had a coup either...

[@TheTororist]

many countries in africa have never had a coup. I dont understand the headline

[@amosmunezero9958]

It is BBC, what do you expect!!! hahahahhahahahha@@TheTororist

[@boborigue]

It is more about the region (West Africa) that the continent.

[@josephinebrevig8748]

ZAMBIA HAS NEVER HAD A COUP

[@mistasendiop3378]

Thanks Mayeni for unravelling Alioune Sall's theft

[@MarshallNwachukwu]

You want Senegal to have coup? Why's kind of documentary all about?

[@Evemeister12]

You've jinxed it now, BBC.

[@PAIKUN.]

The state cannot employ all the 70% youth of the country’s population. There’s high birth rate and parents do nothing to prepare these youths for the realities of the world. If you walk around the streets, you will see 10 to 20 kids playing around at night, where’s the parenting?

[@laurisafine7932]

So true. The stark fact is that making babies is easier than creating a developed economy with engineers, architects, geo- and chemical engineering etc., and the know-how to maintain complex infrastructures and economies. A really faithful leader wouldn't shy away from telling people to slow down on the number of children they have, and only within stable, secure marriages, and to make their home-life conducive to studying the difficult subjects like science, biology and maths. In order to give the economy the chance to balance out, it's the sacrifice that needs to be made for the benefits in the long run.

[@queenme7691]

Very intelligent!!!!❤😊​@@laurisafine7932

[@Markov16]

The time were you only needed more youths is when most of you are rotting too much for work and you exchange it by wealth or your dogs. Government should instead balance family planning, anti corruption, education and more independence especially to the youth. High birth rates is in fact always a good indication of potential, Im assure the "parents doesnt prepare these youths thing" is a claim that those youths actually think now to hunt the shadows of Europe especially the French ilegally stealing some resources of Senegal through corruption and other evil hands extending. A government cant do anything decently even with family planning if you cant even trust that the money will be literally used for that "family planning" thing as Senegal actually already decreased it by 2 points in 2019 by research. Childrens also playing at night for me even though really isnt a good idea meant that those kids are now more safe against Senegal's crimes against youth. Senegal also have 60% of youth most likely under 25, not 70%.

[@CelinTonny]

Many Countries in Africa 😏😏

[@planesrift]

YET.

[@boborock2012]

Cameroon has never had a coup as well

[@Newgate10]

Yes and very democratic also I guess 😂😂😂

[@ryans5073]

That's pretty easy when you start in 1981. The cold war was a tough time!

[@LazyStory]

Why do they have so many kids?

[@proudamerican4613]

France is under control of senegal and does have sovereignty. Very sad.

[@saldaterra4724]

Turn to God! Every human being commits sin and they separate us from God. There is only one way to reconcile ourselves with our heavenly father: by repenting of our mistakes, confessing them, forsaking them and accepting Jesus Christ, the son of God as our only Lord and Savior, who suffered and died on the cross to pay for our sins in our place. If we do not repent and abandon our wrong actions, one day we will stand before the Court of God and will be condemned by Him. God loves you and has a place in heaven reserved for you. Read the Bible, seek Him and accept Him in your life. God bless you.

[@HasnaaAlaa]

Democracy doesn't put food on the table

[@LeoDas688]

Govt inability to crack down islamic terrorism is a main reason army gave for coup attempt in countries in sahel

[@user-fi2fk2ei7o]

is that a man or woman ?