Le Soleil
Le Soleil serves as Senegal’s state-owned daily newspaper, published in Dakar since May 20, 1970. The publication traces its roots to 1933 when French publisher Charles de Breteuil founded the Paris-Dakar weekly, which became sub-Saharan Africa’s first daily newspaper in 1936. Following Senegal’s independence, it was renamed Dakar-Matin in 1961 before adopting its current title. Established under President Léopold Sédar Senghor during a period of “tightly circumscribed” press freedoms, Le Soleil initially operated as a fully state-controlled media outlet. Since Senegal’s democratic transition in 2000, the government has maintained its position as “the main shareholder,” according to scholars Erin Baggott Carter and Brett L. Carter. The newspaper continues to serve as an important voice in Senegalese media while maintaining its historical connections to the state.
