The Senegalese police/military are some of the worst I've come across in Africa. Always after a payment; I've still not parted with any money.

The worst incident was at the Guinean border near Kedougou; I came over the border in a pick up truck with 18 Guineans. They asked for my passport and then said I'd not previously exited Senegal until I pointed out my stamp at M'Pack for the Guinea Bissau border. I was then asked for my Yellow Fever certificate, no problem. Then it got nasty. First it was my driving licence, I still continued in English but had to give up my 'copied' driving licence that I carry with me; being a French one they had me.

So we went into French. Still not satisfied with me & my annoyance growing about the driving licence & that I wasn't driving - I'd paid for a taxi; he went on. It was then I was asked to produce an AIDS certificate, by which time I laughed & asked him for his. According to him all foreigners had to have an AIDS certificate, I told him he was lying. He asked me for 10,000CFA, I walked out and went back to the vehicle telling him to keep the lot as an AIDS certificate doesn't exist. I made it very clear I would go back to Dakar & tell the powers that be that I didn't have a passport etc as it was being held for 10,000CFA or an AIDS certificate. My driver was beside himself wondering who to calm down first!!!

He eventually relented after a few minutes & came out to get me .. stamped the passport & handed it all back ...

DO NOT PAY THE SENEGALESE POLICE!!!

Kira