Senegal, Democracy and Africa: Despair or Hope?
The unconstitutional postponement of Senegal’s presidential election, endorsed by President Macky Sall and the National Assembly, signals a concerning shift in democratic norms in Africa, prompting reflection on the continent’s future amidst persistent poverty, conflicts, and injustices despite its vast potential and resources, highlighting the urgent need for political will, commitment, and accountability among leaders, state institutions, and regional bodies like the African Union and ECOWAS to safeguard democracy, uphold constitutional principles, and ensure the welfare of African citizens.
From Abdoulaye to Macky. The Full Circle
In 2012, Macky Sall and Senegalese activists protested President Abdoulaye Wade’s bid for a third term, leading to accusations of a constitutional coup; Sall later won the election, promising democratic renewal, but recent actions, including a backtrack on a pledge not to seek a third term and the postponement of elections, have sparked further unrest, highlighting the erosion of democracy and stability in Senegal under both Wade and Sall.