Rubio Praises Senegal, Ignores Human Rights Abuses

Senegal turned 65 this week, a moment of pride for a nation that has long stood as a beacon of hope in West Africa. Secretary of State Marco Rubio marked the occasion with warm words, praising Senegal’s leadership in safeguarding freedoms and bolstering regional security. His statement, dripping with diplomatic goodwill, paints a picture of a flourishing partnership between Washington and Dakar, one rooted in shared values and mutual gain. Yet beneath the polished rhetoric lies a grittier truth: Senegal’s journey toward true democracy remains incomplete, and America’s role in it demands a sharper edge.

For those new to the tangled web of international relations, this anniversary isn’t just a celebration; it’s a call to action. Senegal’s story resonates with anyone who believes in the promise of liberty, justice, and the chance to thrive. But the United States cannot afford to cheer from the sidelines while glossing over cracks in the foundation. If this partnership is to mean anything, it must confront Senegal’s struggles head-on, prioritizing human rights and accountability over the tired playbook of stability-first diplomacy.

Rubio’s nod to 'fundamental freedoms' feels hollow when you dig into the reality. Senegal’s Constitution promises free expression and assembly, sure, but the government has a habit of silencing dissent with heavy-handed tactics. Media outlets face shutdowns, protests get banned, and vague anti-terrorism laws have morphed into tools to jail activists. America’s praise rings empty unless it’s backed by a demand for justice, not just handshakes and photo ops.

Look at the past few years in Senegal, and the stakes come into focus. Between 2021 and 2024, protests against government overreach were met with brutal crackdowns, arbitrary arrests, and internet blackouts. Human rights groups documented violations, from beatings to deaths, yet an amnesty law passed in March 2024 swept much of it under the rug. Yes, a revision this April opened the door to prosecuting murder and torture, but advocates insist the law itself needs to go. Why? Because shielding abusers undermines the very freedoms Rubio claims to admire.

This isn’t abstract policy talk; it’s about real people. Families mourning loved ones killed in protests deserve more than half-measures. Journalists risking their lives to report the truth need a lifeline, not platitudes. The United States, with its deep ties to Senegal, has leverage here. Programs like the $550 million Millennium Challenge Corporation compact, aimed at expanding electricity access, show America’s commitment. But that investment must come with strings: push Senegal’s leaders to dismantle these oppressive laws and deliver justice.

Some argue that stability trumps all, that Senegal’s role as a regional anchor in a chaotic Sahel justifies a softer touch. They point to the country’s mediation within ECOWAS, its military ties with Mali, and its hosting of U.S. exercises like African Lion. Fair enough, the Sahel’s a mess, with terrorism claiming nearly half the world’s related deaths in 2023. But banking on Senegal as a bulwark while ignoring its flaws is a gamble that backfires. A nation stifling its own people can’t sustain the moral authority to lead.

History backs this up. Senegal’s economic strides under the Plan Sénégal Emergent, launched in 2014, brought steady growth and flashy oil finds in 2024. Yet high debt, at 105.7% of GDP, and hidden liabilities expose a fragility that repression only deepens. True stability flows from trust, not control. America learned this the hard way during the Cold War, propping up dictators for short-term wins only to face long-term chaos. We can’t repeat that mistake here.

Contrast this with the U.S. approach elsewhere in Africa. Rivals like China pour money into infrastructure with no questions asked, while Russia exploits unrest for gain. The Trump administration’s tariffs threaten trade deals like AGOA, nudging African nations toward Beijing. Senegal’s partnership with the U.S. could be a counterweight, but only if it’s built on principle. Blindly celebrating 'shared democratic values' while dissenters rot in jail makes America look weak, not strong.

Here’s where the rubber meets the road. Senegal’s potential is undeniable: a stable democracy, a growing economy, a voice for peace in a turbulent region. Its oil and gas boom could lift millions if managed right. The United States has a stake in that success, from countering terrorism to securing a foothold in West Africa. But this relationship can’t just be about military bases and energy deals. It’s about standing for something bigger.

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s reforms signal hope, tweaking judicial independence and addressing past wrongs. America should seize this opening, not with vague praise, but with a clear demand: repeal the amnesty law, free the press, and let citizens breathe. Tie aid and cooperation to progress on these fronts. That’s how you build a partnership that lasts, one that everyday people in Senegal, and here, can believe in.

Sixty-five years of independence is a triumph worth celebrating, no question. Senegal’s people have earned it. But the United States owes them more than a pat on the back. We owe them a partnership that fights for their rights as fiercely as it does for our own interests. Anything less is a betrayal of what we claim to stand for.