We have obviously not yet emerged from the political imbroglio in Senegal, as the confusion remains total around the date of the next presidential election. Indeed, in different releases, one after the other, the Government and the Constitutional Council announced, on March 6, two dates for the presidential election, respectively March 24 and 31. The tensions between the Executive and the “Wise Men” which confirm all the difficulties of the Senegalese in determining a precise date to elect the fifth president in their history who will certainly not be Macky Sall, he who is at the end of his mandate and constitutionally disqualified from the race for supreme office. But in the light of the two proposals, a clear observation emerges: the date of the election has been brought forward, and it could even take place before the end of March, therefore before the end of the mandate of the outgoing president who is arriving ends on April 2. This is certainly a step forward for Senegal, considering the different dates that have been proposed so far after the postponement of February 25. And this is to the credit of the Constitutional Council which has always opposed any date setting the ballot beyond the duration of the mandate of the president in office. And neither the National Assembly, which had postponed the presidential election until December 15, 2024, nor President Macky Sall, much less the members of the National Dialogue who had proposed the date of June 2, have managed to bend the “Wise”, determined as they are, to uphold the Constitution.
Institutions have always supported democracy in Senegal
We must therefore salute this strength of institutions in Senegal, in particular the Constitutional Council which undoubtedly saves this country. Indeed, he has always been able to remain in his role despite the forceful passage repeatedly attempted by President Macky Sall to gain precious additional time over the duration of his mandate as head of state. Also, in the political crisis that has shaken the country since the native of Fatick lit the fuse by postponing the presidential election of February 25, this institution has often been the last bastion to prevent the situation from exploding and this , through its positions or decisions taken. This is proof of democratic vitality in the country of Teranga which has until now been presented as one of the model democracies on the continent. And to preserve this image which has recently been damaged by President Macky Sall, strength must remain with the institutions, those which have always supported democracy in this country. This is all the more necessary as it is urgent to draw up a clear timetable in order to allow millions of Senegalese to go to the polls to choose their president and thus put an end to the crisis which has shaken the country for several weeks. That said, the Senegalese example should inspire many countries on the continent, particularly in its French-speaking zone where democracy is suffering. Indeed, what happened in Senegal, with a fiddling president defeated by the Constitutional Council, is difficult to imagine in a number of West African countries where institutions are, for the most part, sounding boards. in the service of the ruling party. Therefore, if it was not the president who was going to attempt a coup to stay in power, it was the badasses who were going to join in the dance. And we have seen so many such scenarios under our skies, unfortunately!
Siaka CISSE
