Léopold Sédar Senghor resigns after twenty years as Senegalese president.

Updated: 20 Dec 2019

Léopold Sédar Senghor was a poet and writer who later became president of Senegal. He was educated in Paris where he got acquainted with Aimé Césaire. After his studies, Senghor remained in Paris and earned his citizenship. He later joined the French army. He later chose to return to his native country and led the struggle for independence. When Senegal gained independence in 1960, Senghor became the country’s first democratically elected president. On 31 December 1980, Senghor became resigned as president of Senegal. Abdou Diouf was chosen as his successor. He was the first African president to resign voluntarily. He died in 2001 in his home in France at the age of 95.

How we know this

01Poetry Foundation, (2013), Léopold Sédar Senghor 1906”“2001, from Poetry Foundation, [online], Available at www.poetryfoundation.org [Accessed: 18 November 2013]
02Britannica, (2013), Léopold Senghor, from Britannica, [online], Available at www.britannica.com [Accessed: 18 November 2013]

Last updated · 20 Dec 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2011, December 14). Léopold Sédar Senghor resigns after twenty years as Senegalese president.. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0071476

South African History Online (2011) 'Léopold Sédar Senghor resigns after twenty years as Senegalese president.', South African History Online, 14 December. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0071476 (Accessed: 7 October 2026).

South African History Online, Léopold Sédar Senghor resigns after twenty years as Senegalese president. [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0071476, (accessed 7 October 2026).

"Léopold Sédar Senghor resigns after twenty years as Senegalese president.." South African History Online, 14 Dec. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0071476. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

South African History Online. "Léopold Sédar Senghor resigns after twenty years as Senegalese president.." South African History Online. December 14, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0071476.