Amadou Bangoura, a 30-year-old Beninese student, will never forget that evening. It was nearly 10 p.m. when he left his gym in the Liberté 6 district of Dakar after another routine workout. The streets were nearly empty, shops had closed, and only a few car headlights cut through the darkness. Then, without warning, a police patrol ordered him to stop. Two officers stepped out of their vehicle and demanded his papers.
This incident is not an isolated case. In recent weeks, Senegal has witnessed a surge in foreign resident checks led by the Police Directorate for Foreigners and Travel Documents. Between June 30 and July 8, authorities conducted 490 inspections, resulting in 36 individuals being referred to prosecutors for irregular stay.
Disproportionate demands spark concern
Residing legally in Senegal for five years, Bangoura described the experience as deeply unsettling: “I couldn’t help but wonder what might happen next.” His ordeal reflects growing unease among foreign residents, who see the campaign as an erosion of the nation’s famed Teranga—the Wolof word for hospitality.
Civil society leaders have voiced strong criticism, warning that what began as a security measure has devolved into a “systematic climate of suspicion toward foreigners.” In a July 13 statement, they condemned arbitrary arrests, “excessive administrative hurdles,” and “unjustified prolonged detentions.”
The crackdown coincides with Senegal’s recent assumption of the presidency of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), raising questions about the country’s commitment to regional integration.
Social media amplifies divisive rhetoric
Beyond institutional measures, online hostility has intensified. Viral TikTok videos have targeted the Guinean community, which constitutes over 40% of Senegal’s foreign population. Accusations of job theft—echoing xenophobic narratives seen in South Africa—have spread rapidly, further straining social cohesion.
