This is a Car Rapide. I traveled a lot with this bus when I was...

Dakar, Senegal

The country that I grew up in, Senegal, is currently in the process of electing a new president. The current president is trying to tweek the system into allowing him another term, on top of that he is also pulling strings to put his son in the vice presidency, so that when Wade(the President) finally kicks it, the country stays in the family. There are riots in the streets, that some of my friends are saying have become more violent than any other in years. Basically, Senegal has the chance of becoming another Cote Voire sitiuation. I’m scared as to what this will mean for my family that live there, and for my friends that are going to school in the capital. Once again, greed is destroying a great country.

On Ngor Island. Senegal

Probably one of the stranger pictures I’ve taken lol. In the head of the controversial statue the president had built in Dakar, Senegal

Our sun roof.. sorta. I tell you, there’s no need for fans or AC when you’ve got this in the hallway.

This is a Car Rapide. I traveled a lot with this bus when I was in Senegal last year. I noticed that theres Alhamdoulilah on every Car Rapide. It works just simple: There are a few guys who just recruit people to travel with it, they shout on the streets the place where it goes, and when you have to go to the same place or a place near it, you can just go with it. They dont charge a lot of money most of the time they are happy if you just give something. I believe it is free for like, homeless people, or orphans. But to give you a negative point: When the Car Rapide is full of ppl Please watch your belonings.. cause ppl might steel your money, camera or something else. And Goodluck tryna get out of a Car Rapide when its Full…

"The strong do not need clubs."

““The strong do not need clubs.””

- Senegalese proverb

One more Senegal picture for today (and I’m actually in...

Senegal drops new law amid protests

The Sengalese president has dropped a controversial electoral law amid opposition protests in the capital, Dakar, on Thursday.

Opponents of 85-year-old Abdoulaye Wade criticised the bill, saying it would allow him to easily retain power in next February’s presidential elections.

The current law requires that a candidate be elected with a 50 per cent majority in the first round of voting to avoid facing a run-off.

Al Jazeera spoke to Abir Saksouk-Sasso, a witness to the protests in Dakar

The draft law would reduce that number to only 25 per cent and create a position of vice-president, leaving Wade’s rivals concerned that he has plans to bring his 42-year-old son, Karim, into power.

Justice Minister Cheikh Tidiane Sy told lawmakers debating the bill that the president had “taken into consideration your concerns,” adding to applause that “he asked me to withdraw the draft legislation,” the AFP news agency reported.

Outside parliament and around Dakar, protesters took to the streets voicing outrage of the proposed bill.

Private television stations in Senegal showed footage of Thursday’s protests against the president in cities and towns elsewhere around the West African nation.

Witnesses told Al Jazeera that police fired tear-gas and water cannons at thousands of protesters chanting “Leave Wade” and “Don’t touch my constitution” around the parliament and presidential palace in Dakar.

Several people were injured when crowds clashed with police, according to reports.

I think I’m going to do a little bit of Senegal spam.  Sorry for anyone that isn’t interested.  Senegal is probably one of the most beautiful places I have ever been.  Senegal has such an interesting culture, and probably some of the nicest people I have ever met.

More on Senegal:  After talking to almost anyone, of any religion, they would usually say that they would pray for you. For your happiness, for whatever ambition you may have just mentioned, whatever.  I’m not religious, and I would actually consider myself agnostic, but I just found this so amazing, and it always made me feel good.

This is a fort on one of the islands off Dakar.

One more Senegal picture for today (and I’m actually in this one!):

I loved how Senegal’s landscape would change so drastically in such a small area.  We went from the urban city of Dakar, to the nature reserve, to the Pink Lake (the water appears pink because of the salt content of the lake), to this area, which seemed like the middle of the Sahara, but was actually only a few yards from a gorgeous, completely deserted beach with the most amazing, misty blue coastline.

Emeutes à Dakar contre la tentation monarchique de...

Untitled (Lamb #4) by Denis Rouvre

Emeutes à Dakar contre la tentation monarchique de Wade.

Demonstrators say proposed electoral law would strengthen President Abdoulaye Wade’s 11-year grip on power.

Mbalax Rap from Senegalese rapper Black Mboolo.

Riot police shield themselves from a barrage of stones thrown by protestors outside the National Assembly during a demonstration in Senegal’s capital Dakar June 23.  Senegal President Abdoulaye Wade has withdrawn a proposed change to the country’s electoral law, the government said, after the bill sparked clashes between riot police and protesters in the heart of the capital. (Finbarr O’Reilly)

Mbalax Rap from Senegalese rapper Black Mboolo.

The Super Stage: We Do Work

Mother tending to her son. Goree Island, Senegal

Senegal

A farmer in Africa prepares to plant trees as part of a community farm project.

As today marks the first official day of summer here in the U.S., we pray for farmers in Africa—that they would have a good season of growth and a successful crop production this year.

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Spence (Tamba Nation), Hadiel (The North), Evan (The North)

Maddy (The North), Emily (Linguere), Paul (The North)

Jenae (Kolda), Andrew (Kaolack), Kim (Linguere), Wilma (Kolda)

Ann Marie (Linguere), Jessica (Kaolack), Amanda (Tamba Nation), Me (Tamba Nation), Anna (Tamba Nation)

Love these guys.

For more awesome photos, check out Maddy’s Flickr.

Akon

i don’t know any of these people…awkward

Mother tending to her son. Goree Island, Senegal

Goree Island, Senegal

(c) Brianna Robinson, July 2011

do not be deceived by the lack of sunlight… it was fuckin hott. lol.

Growing up in the 1980’s i was really into freestyle BMX, the film RAD, and other stuff of the like.  I was checking out youtube videos about Senegal and found this one. This is just like the flatground BMX stuff except done on an old dusty commuter style bike.  This guys does all this stuff with way more soul than most people with nice new equipment.  I really want to go to Senegal with my wifey!

Akon

Photo