Events in the year 2026 in Senegal.
Incumbents President – Bassirou Diomaye Faye Prime Minister – Ousmane Sonko (until 22 May); Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo (since 25 May)
Events January 18 January – Senegal wins the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, defeating Morocco 1-0 on penalties in the final at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. 28 January – The Confederation of African Football fines the Senegalese Football Federation US$615,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct during the final match against Morocco, fines coach Pape Thiaw US$100,000, and bans him for five 2027 AFCON qualifying matches. Players Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaïla Sarr are also banned from the first two qualifiers.
February 8 February – Fourteen people are arrested in Dakar and Kaolack on suspicion of membership in a child abuse network headed by a French national. 10 February – A student dies during protests at Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar over delayed financial aid, after clashes with security forces and a fire at a campus building. The university is closed the next day "until further notice." 12 February – A patrol boat of the Senegalese Navy capsizes at the mouth of the Senegal River, leaving three sailors missing and 10 others rescued.
March
11 March – The National Assembly passes a bill doubling the maximum prison term for same-sex sexual acts to 10 years and criminalizing the promotion or financing of homosexuality. A soldier is killed while six others are injured in a shootout during an operation to destroy cannabis fields in Kadialock, Casamance. 17 March – The Confederation of African Football declares Morocco the winner of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final after overturning Senegal's victory in January over the walkout by the latter's players. 31 March – President Bassirou Diomaye Faye approves a new anti-LGBT law, doubling the maximum prison sentence for same-sex sexual activities to 10 years, and criminalising the promotion or financing of such acts.
April
4 April – The government announces a ban on non-essential foreign travel by government ministers and senior officials, citing rising oil prices linked to the 2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis. 10 April – The first conviction under the new anti-LGBT law is made by a court in Guédiawaye, after a 24-year old man is sentenced to six years' imprisonment and a fine of CFA 2 million ($3,300).
May 23 May – President Faye dismisses prime minister Ousmane Sonko, and dissolves the government, following a debt crisis and stalled negotiations with the International Monetary Fund. Three days later, Sonko is appointed as speaker of parliament. King Mohammed VI of Morocco pardons 15 jailed Senegalese football supporters imprisoned after the disturbances at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, citing the upcoming Eid al-Adha. 25 May – President Faye appoints Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo as prime minister. 26 May – President Faye issues a pardon to journalist Rene Capain Bassene, who had been convicted for the 2018 killing of 14 loggers in the Bayottes forest in Casamance.
June
1 June – Ousmane Sonko announces that his party, PASTEF, will not participate in the new government following disagreements with President Faye. 11 June–19 July – Senegal participates at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
July
26 July – President Faye launches the Kiiraay Republican Patriots party in Dakar, formalising his split from former prime mininister Sonko and PASTEF.
Planned 31 October–13 November – 2026 Summer Youth Olympics in Dakar.
Holidays
1 January – New Year's Day 20 – 21 – March – Korité 4 April – Independence Day 6 April – Easter Monday 1 May – Labour Day 14 May – Ascension Day 25 May – Whit Monday 27 May – 30 May – Tabaski 25 June – Tamkharit 1 August – Grand Magal of Touba 15 August – Assumption Day 25 August – The Prophet's Birthday 1 November – All Saints' Day 25 December – Christmas Day
Deaths 7 January – Seydou Madani Sy, 92, minister of justice (1986–1990).
Art and entertainment List of Senegalese submissions for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film
References
External links Online calendar