Information to be verified:

Senegal now requires a residence permit for Mauritanian nationals staying in the country for more than three months. 

Verdict : ❌ False

The State of Senegal has not taken any specific measures targeting Mauritanian nationals.

The requirement to obtain a residence permit applies to all foreigners wishing to reside in Senegal for more than three months. This legal provision has been in force since 1971 and is not directed at any particular nationality.

Context

The controversy emerged in late July 2025 when reports began to circulate that Senegal had introduced a new requirement for Mauritanian nationals to obtain a residence permit if they were staying in the country for more than three months.

In reality, this claim was based on a misunderstanding of the existing law on residence permits. The story quickly went viral after being relayed by several websites, 

Verification methodology

The Ministry’s official response formed the basis of the analysis of this case. In a statement published on 28 July 2025, the Ministry of African Integration and Foreign Affairs clarified the situation and ended the controversy by widely disseminating its position through official channels.

“Contrary to certain allegations reported in recent days in the press and on social media, the State of Senegal has not taken any measures against Mauritanian citizens residing on its territory.”

Additionally, on 2 June 2025, Senegal and Mauritania concluded a bilateral agreement to apply the same legal regime to their respective nationals regarding entry, stay and establishment. Both countries are continuing to engage in discussions to ensure harmonised implementation of this agreement.

Conclusion:

All foreigners wishing to reside in Senegal for more than three months must obtain a residence permit. This requirement has been in force since 1971 and is not a new measure. Furthermore, it does not target any specific country, including Mauritania.