Senegal's NGOs are urging the US government and Congress to end serious human rights violations committed under the guise of fighting against terrorism while President Barack Obama is in the West African country on a visit.

In a joint statement published on Wednesday, Senegal's League of Human Rights (LSDH), the African Forum for the Defense of Human Rights (RADDHO) and Amnesty International Senegal urged Obama to keep his promise of closing Guantanamo Bay and to present the suspects before a US court or set them free.

Another NGO denounced the absence of development issues on Obama's agenda during his trip to Senegal.

Obama arrived in the Senegalese capital Dakar on Wednesday evening for a 48-hour visit, the first leg on his three-nation African tour, which also includes South Africa and Tanzania.

Upon his arrival at the airport, Obama accompanied by his wife and their two daughters was welcomed by Senegalese President Macky Sall and his wife.

Obama's itinerary includes talks with Sall before holding a joint press conference.

The US president will also meet with judicial heads from 12 African countries at Senegal's Supreme Court.

He is scheduled to make a private visit to Goree island, known for black slaves sent to the Americas.