Senegal: Gendarmerie strengthens surveillance of the TER ahead of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games

With the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games just days away, security on the Regional Express Train (TER) is being reinforced. The Senegalese Gendarmerie now has new equipment, including drones, thermal cameras, and metal detectors, to monitor railway infrastructure and prevent incidents.

With an announced value of over 196 million FCFA, this equipment was handed over as part of an agreement between the National Gendarmerie and the National Company for the Management of TER Heritage (SENTER), signed on October 23, 2026. The system also includes rolling stock intended for the teams in charge of monitoring the network.

The TER (Regional Express Train) is expected to be heavily used during the Youth Olympic Games, held in Dakar from October 31 to November 13, 2026. The expected influx of people around this event raises questions about the safety of passengers, stations and railway infrastructure.

The number of gendarmes assigned to securing the network has also increased from fewer than 400 to 575, according to information released during the partnership agreement. The security measures will need to be in place throughout the competition period.

Yolande Bazié