Transnational Senegalese Politics in France

Abstract

Muslim brotherhoods (turuq), most notably the Mourides, have been considered a dominant factor of political influence at the local and national levels in Senegal. The recent election campaigns, however, seem to indicate a changing influence of religious authorities on a local level. Most of the opposition parties formed a coalition which intended to break up the dominance of the Socialist Party, an intention which was successfully realized. International political - not necessarily homogeneous religious - networks and new means of communication were decisive for the victory of the new president, Abdoulaye Wade, in 2001.