ICT and political transnationalism of the Senegalese diasporas in Spain, Italy, and the US

Abstract

This article aims to highlight the ways in which the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) relate to the articulation of the transnationalism of the Senegalese diasporas in Spain, Italy, and the US. The new communication technologies allow for easier formulas to transfer remittances and bridge the spatial gap between the migrants and their families, but also provide leverage instruments for them to influence the political arena in Senegal. Moreover, the increased access of Senegalese migrants to ITC abroad has at least two important consequences: firstly, it fosters the appearance of a critical climate towards Senegalese politics, and secondly, despite the initial differences regarding educational and professional capitals between traditional elites and migrant workers who decide to return, it opens up new opportunities to access the professional political arena in Senegal for the latter. The author has opted for an approach that focuses on the socio-anthropology of the actors, and its methodology combines empirical observations and individual and group interviews.