The president is elected by universal adult suffrage to a 5-year term. The unicameral National Assembly has 120 members, who are elected separately from the president. The Socialist Party dominated the National Assembly until April 2001, when in free and fair legislative elections, President Wadeís coalition won a majority (89 of 120 seats). The Cour de Cassation (Highest Appeals Court, equivalent to the U.S. Supreme Court) and the Constitutional Council, the justices of which are named by the president, are the nation's highest tribunals. Senegal is divided into 11 administrative regions, each headed by a governor appointed by and responsible to the president. The law on decentralization, which came into effect in January 1997, distributed significant central government authority to regional assemblies.

Senegalís principal political party was for 40 years the Socialist Party (PS). Its domination of political life came to an end in March 2000, when Abdoulaye Wade, the leader of the Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS) and leader of the opposition for more than 25 years, won the presidency. Under the terms of the 2001 constitution, future presidents will serve for 5 years and be limited to two terms. Wade was the last President to be elected to a 7-year term.

President Wade has advanced a liberal agenda for Senegal, including privatizations and other market-opening measures. He has a strong interest in raising Senegalís regional and international profile. The country, nevertheless, has limited means with which to implement ambitious ideas. The liberalization of the economy is proceeding, but at a slow pace. Senegal continues to play a significant role in regional and international organizations. President Wade has made excellent relations with the United States a high priority.

There are presently some 65 political parties, most of which are marginal and little more than platforms for their leaders. The principal political parties, however, constitute a true multiparty, democratic political culture, and they have contributed to one of the most successful democratic transitions in Africa, even among all developing countries. A flourishing independent media, largely free from official or informal control, also contributes to the democratic politics of Senegal. The countryís generally tolerant culture, largely free from ethnic or religious tensions, has provided a resilient base for democratic politics.

Ministers
Prime Minister--Macky Sall
Minister of State, Minister of Local Authorities and Decentralization--Aminata Tall
Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs--Cheikh Tidiane Gadio
Minister of State, Minister of Economy and Finance--Abdoulaye Diop
Minister of State, Minister of Justice, Garde de Sceaux--Cheikh Tidiane Sy
Minister of State, Minister of Maritime Economy--Djibo K’
Minister of State, Minister of Agriculture and Hydraulics--Farba Senghor
Minister of Defense--BÈcaye Diop
Minister of Interior--Ousmane Ngom
Minister of Education--Moustapha Sourang
Minister of Tourism and Air Transport--Ousmane Masseck Ndiaye
Minister of Energy and Mining--MadickÈ Niang
Minister of Commerce--Mamadou Diop Decroix
Minister of Health--Abdou Fall
Minister of Infrastructure, Equipment and Land and Maritime Transport--Habib Sy
Minister of Decentralization and Regional Planning--Lamine Ba
Minister of Women, Family and Social Development--Aida Mbodj
Minister of National Solidarity--Farba Senghor
Minister of Culture and National Heritage--Mame Barame Diouf
Minister of Civil Service, Labor, Employment and Professional Organizations--Adama Sall
Minister of Sports--El Hadj Daouda Faye
Minister of Urbanization and Land Use--Assane Diagne
Minister of Housing and Construction--Omar Sarr
Minister of Postal Service, Telecommunications, and New Information and Communication Technologies--Joseph Ndong
Minister of Industry and Artisanry--Bineta Ba Samb
Minister of Public Health--Issa Mbaye Samb
Minister of Environment and Natural Protection--Thierno Lo
Minister of Information, Government Spokesperson--Dr. Bacar Dia
Minister of NEPAD, African Economic Integration and Good Governance--Abdou Aziz Sow
Minister of Small and Medium Sized Business, Female Entrepreneurship and Microfinance--Marie Pierre Sarr
Minister of Youth--Aliou Sow
Minister of Scientific Research--Yaye Kene Gassame Dia
Minister of Planning and Sustainable Development--Mamadou SidibÈ
Minister of Senegalese Abroad--Abdou Malal Diop
Minister of Animal Husbandry--Oumou KhaÔry GuËye Seck
Minister of Technical Education and Vocational Training--Georges Tendeng
Minister of Institutional Relations--Awa Fall Diop
Junior Minister of Budget (reporting to the Minister of Economy and Finance)--Cheikh Adjibou SoumarÈ
Junior Minister of Teacher Training (reporting to the Minister of Education)--Ibrahima Fall
Junior Minister of Literacy, National Languages and French (reporting to the Minister of Education)--DiÈgane SËne

Ambassador to the United States--Dr. Amadou Lamine Ba
Ambassador to the United Nations--Papa Louis Fall

Senegal maintains an embassy in the United States at 2112 Wyoming Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel. 202-234-0540), and a Mission to the United Nations at 392 Fifth Avenue, 9th floor, New York, NY 10018 (tel. 212-517-9030).