Senegal is seen as a model example of West African democracy. It is characterized by democratic structures and the rule of law as well as guaranteed basic freedoms, in particular freedom of religion, free speech, a free press and freedom of assembly. The democratically structured Senegalese army is one of the few African armies to be involved in regional and international peacekeeping missions. The conflict in the south-west of the country, which has been going on for almost 30 years now, however, is barely acknowledged by the rest of the world and Europe in particular.