Alwaght-Regarding geopolitics, Senegal is neither a large country nor is situated in a strategic region; however, since its independence it has played a prominent role in West Africa. As an African country that Muslims constitutes more than ninety percent of its population, Senegal has managed to act as a cultural and political bridge between African countries and the Muslim world. Compared to other former French colonies, Senegal has stronger political, cultural and economic relations with Paris. In fact, Senegal is the most important French-speaking country in the West Africa. Senegal’s influence on French-speaking countries of the Africa is the same as that of Saudi Arabia on the Arab states of the Persian Gulf and the Arab world.
Dakar, Senegal's capital is the largest and the most important port of the country; it is also the deepest port on the Atlantic coast that its outstanding harbor facilities make it very appropriate for large vessels.
Peace and stability are the most important characteristics of Senegal. Since the country's independence in 1960s, there have been no coups; whereas, in many countries of the region such as Guinea Bissau, Guinea Conakry, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Niger there have been numerous coups and massacre of innocent people. Nevertheless, the most significant weakness of Senegal is its fragile economy and high dependence on foreign aids.
Senegal-Israeli Regime Relations
The initial relations between Israeli regime and Senegal dates back to the 1960s when poverty, unemployment, lack of expertise, and dozens of other issues forced the officials of Senegal to make connections with the Israeli regime. During the 1960s and early 1970s, the political, economic and cultural ties between the two sides began. Hundreds of Senegalese experts headed to Tel Aviv to learn various courses; meanwhile many Zionist experts were invited to train them in Senegal. Their relations continued until 1973, when Israeli regime defeated Arabs and Gamal Abdel Nasser’s called on African countries, particularly the Muslim countries of the Africa to suspend their relations with the Israeli regime.
During the1990s, the relations between Senegal and Israeli regime began at low levels, but the importance of this country in West Africa and its spiritual domination over other French-speaking countries, and Senegal's role in resolving the crisis in the region made the Israeli regime to boost up its relations with Senegal. For this purpose Israeli regime decided to send a veteran politician to Senegal. They selected "Gideon Bahar" a senior State Department official. During his office the bilateral ties between the two sides reached the highest level, to the extent which Senegal, the only Muslim country in Africa that had twice hosted the summit of Islamic countries, turned into a base of Israeli regime in the West Africa. Israeli regime implements its regional policies in West Africa in the hand of Senegal. The Israeli regime Ambassadors’ activities, not only improved the relation between Israeli regime and Senegal up to its highest level, but also paved the way for the penetration of Israeli regime into other counties in the region, including Gambia that constantly claimed to be fighting Western imperialism, Yahya Jammeh, Gambian President, invited the Ambassador of Israeli regime in the sixty-fifth anniversary of establishment of the illegitimate Israeli regime and officially congratulated Israeli regime people and administration on that day. First synagogue has recentlybeen built in the country, while before that the Jews were never considered the residents of this country. Israeli regime also takes advantage of its presence in Senegal spy on Mauritania.
More than 60 percent of Senegal's population are active in the agricultural sector; however, over grazing the pastures, deforestation, drought, lack of dams and canals to collect surface water and lack of expertise in the agricultural field, have placed Senegal among the agriculturally poor African countries and therefore it is always suffering malnutrition. To deal with the issue, the Senegalese leaders asked Israeli regime for help.
As noted before, fragile economy is one of the biggest problems of Senegal. The country, does not possess fossil fuel resources, and has limited source of income. The country's power plants lack fuel to burn. The high price of gas makes many people, even in the cities, to use coal and wood for cooking.
In Senegal, like other African Islamic countries, there are vicarious Sufi sects. Prominent leaders of some sects, including Tijaniyya and Murīdiyya live in Senegal that increases country’s reputation among African countries.
One of the most important sects of West Africa is Tijaniyya whose followers are estimated to reach 50 million.
Aother important sect is Murīdiyya that is centered in Touba , 200 km from east of Dakar.
Sufi Sects play an Important and influencial role in Senegal so that Abdulla Vad, Senegal's ex-president and one the Ambake’s disciples, was used to sought prayers from the Murīdiyya Caliph before his foreign trips.
One of the Israeli regime’s purposes is to make ties with Senegalese religious leaders. In 2010, Gideon Bahar traveled to Touba to visit Ambake. Sufi leader refused to meet him that made Gideon angry. He submitted a letter of protest to Senegal foreign minister. Sources close to Caliph announced that he does not feel good about the Israeli regime ambassador.
This news led to collapse of Israeli regime’s reputation in Senegal and other French-speaking countries in West Africa. The Israeli regime authorities adapted a new strategy.
They embarked on distributing dinner among Dakar mosques in Ramadan. They also in a hypocritical manner invited some of Muslim clerics o for dinner (Iftar). Ceremony ended by group prayer, speech of the Israeli regime ambassador and gifting. Henceforward, this program came into the calendar of Israeli regime embassy activities to perform every year, and its films and pictures are broadcasted in Senegal media.
In 2012, the Israeli regime embassy took another action that surprised the political experts. In Eid al-Adha, the ambassador sacrificed 100 sheeps and distributed them among the poors of Dakar.
This news was broadcasted by Zionist media to cover this regime brutal massacre of Palestinians. The next scenario was construction and repairing Senegal mosques. Israeli regime embassy announced that it aims to construct and repair masques in some Senegal provinces. It was simultaneous with Israeli regimes brutal aggression on Gaza.
On 26 November 2014 Senegal government deployed six clerics to visit the occupied Palestine holy places. They were welcomed by the Israeli regime authorities. Rollin Rioblin, Israeli official, said: “this visit was to show there is no conflict between Islam and Judaism”. Addressing the Senegalese delegation, he added: “Your journey here, reflects our desire for friendship with Muslims; since Muslims and Jewish believe in one God”.
Although Senegal's Muslims population is more than 90%, and this country had hosted the summit of Islamic countries for two times, Zionists have sneaked into this country misusing the poverty they are dealing with.
