Senegal Roundup: Health, mass vaccinations, arts and culture
Presidential visits
On December 5, 2024, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, accompanied by a delegation of ambassadors and senior officials. Wam.ae reports that the visit allowed the delegation to engage with the mosque's core themes of coexistence, tolerance, and cultural communication, alongside an exploration of its Islamic architectural history. Culminating the visit, President Faye received a special publication titled "Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: Lights of Peace," which features award-winning photography of the mosque's striking architecture.
National mass vaccination
In a public health initiative, Senegal has embarked on a national mass vaccination campaign against measles and rubella, targeting children aged nine months to 14 years between December 2 and 11. Health Minister Ibrahima Sy has set an ambitious goal of achieving at least 80% vaccination coverage, following an evaluation that indicated a heightened risk of measles outbreaks, particularly among vulnerable age groups, GNA reports. The campaign is essential for protecting children from vaccine-preventable diseases amidst concerns of potential epidemics.
African arts and culture
The Dakar Biennale of Contemporary African Arts, a prominent cultural event established in 1989, is currently in progress, France 24 reports. Notably, this year marks the first participation of local artisans from Dakar, with five craftsmen collaboratively presenting an exhibition that creatively interprets the theme of the hippopotamus, highlighting local craftsmanship and artistic expression.
Senegal-UAE bilateral relations
In a significant diplomatic engagement, President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the UAE met with Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye in Abu Dhabi to discuss enhancing bilateral relations. Key areas of cooperation identified include investment, trade, economy, and development. Dubai Eye reports that during the meeting, President Faye congratulated the UAE on its recent Eid Al Etihad celebration and reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening ties. Sheikh Mohamed underlined the UAE's strategic aim of building partnerships with African nations for mutual benefit, with discussions involving several senior UAE officials and members of the Senegalese delegation.
Health
Additionally, Senegal and Rwanda have attained Maturity Level 3 (ML3) in the World Health Organization's (WHO) global classification of national regulatory authorities. This milestone places them in an elite group alongside Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. According to WHO, the assessment, which concluded in October 2024 in collaboration with WHO, evaluated the countries' regulatory systems against over 250 indicators. Dr. Matshidiso Moeti underscored that this achievement is pivotal for enhancing public health and signifies a progressive step towards establishing resilient health systems across Africa, with robust regulation being vital for ensuring access to quality medicines, vaccines, and health products.
