Last Updated:
October 6, 2007 19:29
EDT
Still Valid:
November 15, 2007 21:08
EST
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1. RECENT UPDATES
The phone numbers have been updated in Section 5.
See our Current Issues page for more information on flooding in Senegal.
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2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
There is no Official Warning for this country.
Elections:
Parliamentary elections are scheduled to take place in Senegal on June 3, 2007. Canadians should remain vigilant, as there is a possibility of unrest in the period surrounding the elections. Presidential elections were held in Senegal on February 25, 2007. During the weeks leading up to these elections, violent incidents have occurred, causing injuries. Further demonstrations could occur without warning. Canadians in Senegal should monitor local news reports, avoid large gatherings and demonstrations, and follow the advice of local authorities.
Casamance:
Travelers in the Casamance region should maintain a high level of security awareness at all times, since banditry and armed clashes pose risks. In August 2006, military activity has intensified and attacks between rebel groups have resumed near the border with the Gambia. In the Southern region bordering Guinea-Bissau, the conflict opposing Guinea-Bissau's army and Casamance rebels continues, and has caused loss of life and the displacement of thousands of people. Many reports indicate a significant use of small arms and landmines. Further serious unrest is expected, as the government of Guinea-Bissau increased security measures and the deployment of soldiers along the border. Canadians should be vigilant and avoid situations where political violence and demonstrations may occur.
OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency in a foreign country, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad.
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3. SAFETY AND SECURITY
The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions.
Pickpockets, purse snatchers, and scam artists are extremely active in Dakar's city centre and in the popular shopping areas of Avenue Georges Pompidou, Avenue Lamine Guéye, Place de l'Indépendance, and Marché Sandaga. Tourists have been victims of muggings on Avenue Bourguiba, between Pont E and Demba Diop Stadium, especially during school holidays, as it is a popular area to hold “navétanes” (football games). Foreigners have also been victims of muggings and robberies along the restaurant district of Dakar known as "La Petite Corniche." Travellers should remain vigilant, secure personal belongings, and avoid displays of affluence.
You should exercise caution in the arrivals and departures areas at the airport, especially during night flight hours. Those areas are often crowded and travellers are regularly solicited and sometimes get rushed. In order to facilitate the arrival of travellers, many hotels offer a free shuttle service. Travellers should confirm the identity of the person welcoming them at the airport to ensure that they are mandated by the hotel. For valet service, it is recommended to ask an agent wearing an ASECNA uniform.
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4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS
The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the Senegalese authorities and was valid on March 28, 2007. However, entry and exit requirements are subject to change.
It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada’s Office of Protocol provides contact details for the Embassy of the Republic of Senegal and its consulates, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements.
A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Senegal. The passport must be valid for at least three months beyond the date of your expected departure from the country. Visas are not required for a stay not exceeding 90 days.
Tourist Visa: Not required
Business Visa: Not required
Student Visa: Not required
If you are settling in Senegal for more than 3 months, you must apply for a foreign national identity card.
Travellers are required to carry proof of yellow fever and meningitis vaccination.
A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (CCC) is not a travel document. Airlines are known to refuse boarding to dual national Canadian passengers returning to Canada, travelling on a passport that requires a visa to enter Canada, regardless of whether the passenger presents a valid CCC as proof of Canadian citizenship. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document for the purpose of international travel. It proves your admissibility to enter Canada.
Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.
Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.
Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.
Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.
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5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS
You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address:
Senegal - DAKAR, Embassy of Canada
Address: corner of Galliéni and Amadou Cissé Dia Streets, Dakar, Senegal
Postal Address: P.O. Box 3373, Dakar,
Tel.: 221 33-889-47-00
Fax: 221 33-889-47-20
E-Mail: dakar@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.dakar.gc.ca
For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Dakar and follow the instructions. You may also make a collect call to the Department in Ottawa at 613-996-8885.
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6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons.
Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.
The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare.
Common sense and discretion should be exercised in dress and behaviour. Respect religious and social traditions to avoid offending local sensitivities.
Some items, including auto parts, computers and computer parts, stereo equipment, tape players, tools, and video cameras and players, are subject to strict customs regulations and cannot be brought into the country without clearance by Senegalese authorities. Contact the Embassy of the Republic of Senegal (see section 4 above) for further information on customs requirements.
Driving under the influence of alcohol is punishable by law. Convicted offenders are subject to jail sentences and/or fines.
Possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs may result in long jail sentences and/or heavy fines.
Canadians interested in purchasing property or making other investments should seek legal advice from appropriate professionals in Canada and Senegal before making commitments. Disputes arising from such activities could be prolonged and costly to resolve.
Homosexuality is prohibited, and persons convicted of this offence may receive a jail sentence of one to five years, or a fine of 100,000 to 1,500,000 CFA fr. The maximum jail sentence (10 years) is always imposed when a minor is involved.
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7. LOCAL TRAVEL AND CURRENCY
Use a four-wheel-drive vehicle for travel on trails or in remote areas. Avoid overland travel after dark. Vehicles are usually rented with drivers. In the event of an accident or vehicle breakdown, the driver and rental company will be held responsible. In the event of personal injury or death, drivers are detained until a judge determines responsibility. Do not use public transportation if the vehicle appears overcrowded and poorly maintained. Taxis are often badly driven and poorly maintained.
In Casamance, where separatist rebels operate, Canadians should avoid overland travel, especially on the roads between Ziguinchor and Banjul (The Gambia), between Ziguinchor and Cap-Skirring, between Bignona and Cap-Skirring and between Bignona and Sedoba, located near the Gambian border, where attacks on travellers have taken place. All travel on these roads should only be undertaken with organized tourist transportation companies. Landmines remain a problem in Basse-Casamance and along the border with Guinea-Bissau. Travel to Ziguinchor and to Cap-Skirring should be by air only. There is a direct flight from Dakar to Cap-Skiring during the tourist season (November to April). Although it is possible to travel by boat to Ziguinchor, Canadians should carefully evaluate implications for their security and safety before deciding to travel by ferry, in light of overcrowding and the possibility of capsizing and sinking of ferries.
Do not venture from the hotel district of Cap-Skirring. Canadians should contact the Embassy of Canada in Dakar (see section 5 above) for the latest security information.
There are only two official land border crossings with Mauritania: Diama and Rosso. Pedestrians and vehicles are permitted to cross over a dam at Diama and by ferry at Rosso. The road leading to Diama may be impassable during the rainy season. Long delays at the border are common. Ferry crossings at Rosso are available only between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Travellers should not cross the Senegal River by private pirogue; it is illegal and dangerous. There are also land border crossings with Mali, The Gambia, and Guinea Bissau.
No reliable information about Senegal Airlines' safety standards is available.
The currency is the African Financial Community franc (CFA franc). Travellers should avoid offers of large amounts of banknotes in exchange for foreign currency from other than reputable exchange bureaus.
Credit cards are rarely accepted outside major hotels, travel agencies, and airline companies. Credit card cash advances can be obtained, but are time consuming. Western Union offices offer cash transfers from Canada; one of their offices in Dakar is open 24-hours, 7-days a week. Traveller's cheques are accepted.
Canadian currency and traveller's cheques are not widely accepted worldwide. Check with your bank for information on Automated Banking Machine (ABM) services in other countries. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ABMs around the world. Your bank can advise if you need a new personal identification number (PIN) for overseas access to your account. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ABMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.
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8. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE
The rainy seasons extend from August to September in the western, northwestern, and northern regions and from July to September in the central and eastern regions. Heavy rains and tropical storms during these periods can make roads impassable. You should follow regional weather forecasts and plan accordingly.
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9. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM
The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program Web site.
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is currently monitoring an increase in cholera activity in West Africa. Further information on cholera and recommendations for travellers can be found on the Public Health Agency of Canada's Travel Medicine Web site as well as on the World Health Organization's Web site.
The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.
Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.
The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.
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10. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION
Medical facilities are adequate in the capital, Dakar. However, medical facilities outside Dakar are limited.
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11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Returning to Canada
Traveller's Checklist
Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes. See Canada's Health Portal.
Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.
Adoption: Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child from another country, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.
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12. ANNEX
TIPS FOR BUSINESS TRAVELLERS TO SENEGAL
Recognizing a Business Scam
Business people, many of them experienced in overseas transactions, have lost thousands of dollars to scams. Occasionally, persons who have gone to Senegal to "finalize" deals have been threatened or assaulted. Local police and other officials have not provided assistance to those caught up in scams.
Caution should be exercised when contemplating any business transaction involving Senegal. The scams range from attempts to engage business people in fictitious money transfer schemes to fraudulent solicitations and fraudulent real estate transactions. The scams are very sophisticated and may take victims to staged meetings, often held in borrowed offices at overseas locations. The persons involved do their research and can often provide plausible, but non-existent, orders written on seemingly genuine government stationery, replete with official stamps and seals.
Senegal business scams are not always easy to recognize, and any unsolicited business proposal should be carefully scrutinized. There are, nevertheless, some indicators that are warnings of a probable scam. Look out for:
Any offer of a substantial percentage of a large sum of money to be transferred into your account in return for your "discretion" or "confidentiality";
Any deal that seems too good to be true;
Requests for signed and stamped blank letterhead or invoices, or for bank account information;
Requests for urgent air shipment, accompanied by an instrument of payment whose genuineness cannot immediately be established;
Solicitation letters or e-mails claiming that the soliciting party has personal ties to senior Senegal officials;
Requests for advance payment in U.S. dollars, in advance of transfer taxes or incorporation fees;
Statements that your name was provided to the soliciting party either by someone you do not know or by a "reliable contact";
These indicators are some of the most common hallmarks of West African scam operations. The list is not all-inclusive, as scam operators are constantly weaving new elements into their schemes. The best rule is to carefully check any unsolicited business proposal originating from Senegal or involving Senegalese before any funds are committed, before any goods or services are provided, or before any travel is undertaken.
How Do the Scams Work?
Senegal business scams are confidence schemes, designed to exploit the trust you develop in your Senegal partner and defraud you of goods, services, or money. The scams are flexible, and operators adapt them to take the greatest advantage of the target.
Solicitation letters or e-mails received in Canada may sometimes originate in countries neighbouring Senegal (i.e. Nigeria, Benin or Côte d'Ivoire), in Europe, or in North America; however, you may be requested to visit Senegal to finalize the deal.
CONTACT INFORMATION
International Trade Canada
Africa and Middle East Trade Division
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0G2
Ask for the Commercial Officer responsible for Senegal at (613) 944-4000. If you already have a contact name, you can also fax your request at (613) 996-9709.
Embassy of the Republic of Senegal
57 Marlborough Avenue,
Ottawa, ON
K1N 8E8
Tel.: (613) 238-6392
Fax: (613) 238-2695
Commercial Crime Branch
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
1200 Vanier Parkway
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0R2
Tel.: 613-991-4331
Fax: 613-993-4299
PhoneBusters National Call Centre
P.O. Box 686
North Bay, ON
P1B 8J8
Tel.: 1 888 495-8501 or 705-495-8501
Fax: 1 888 654-9426 or 705-494-4755
Website: http://www.phonebusters.com/
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