SENEGAL: What a Political Lesson

First to the framework of leading ideas in order for one to properly understand the situation that obtained in Senegalese politics. 

Readers may wish to exercise patience to digest this story from an observer’s views. From all accounts, it has been said by many Senegalese that Macky started the war with Ousman Sonko by sacking him from his job at the Revenue and Tax Department of the government of Senegal. 

Sonko was dismissed from his job by executive decision. That seemed to have fueled the fire in Sonko to venture into politics. He created his movement Party called PASTEF with few members at the time. They started work early on their political mission years back under the leadership of Sonko and his Assistant Bassirou Diomaye Faye. 

They have since then been under the radar of Macky Sall and his government. However, these were a determined political force to change the system in Senegal. They have been consistent in their messagings which eventually resonated with the wishes and aspirations of the Senegalese people and especially with the Youths. 

The more the Party intensifies its campaigns, the more the consciousness of the people on the project of PASTEF were raised. The Party’s political mobilization and political socialization strategies were well- calculated and articulated by its leadership. Telling the people what they want to hear and what will be beneficial to them and the Nation, are political inducements that work in the African political conscience. PASTEF understood this and employed it very well in the political process. 

On further observation, it seemed to me that Sonko knew who Macky Sall was and so could never have trusted him. He was therefore prepared for any eventuality coming from Macky’s end. As the political turmoil continued to be widespread in the country, the government banned PASTEF as a Political party and hence their operations should cease to exist. Prior to the ban, the Adji Sarr case, Mam Mbye Niang case, Corrupting the young people case, etc have been subjects of legal battles between Sonko camp and the government.

 It was a widely held view in Senegal that the Macky government went too far to target Ousman Sonko for political extinction. The more the government cracks on Sonko the more he was given popularity by the support of most of the people including the youths of Senegal. The Youths and members of the Party made maximum use of social media and the air waves to promote the agenda of PASTEF. 

Promises of reforms in the system, protection of natural and mineral resources of Senegal for Senegal, lessening the French influence, creating wealth and employment possibilities for the Youths and citizens, etc among others vibrated in the hearts of the people and galvanized their enthusiasm and support for Sonko and PASTEF. 

In light of the increased popularity of Sonko and violences that the government deemed happened under the watch of PASTEF with Sonko as its leader, prison sentences were handed on Sonko and his crew including Bassirou Diomaye Faye and several of their party supporters. Macky and his collaborators and other political charlatans in Senegal thought the game was over for Ousman Sonko and PASTEF with their imprisonment as the main opposition Party in Senegal. 

In Wolof proverb, it is said the needle that will pierce the eyes will not be seen. Whilst in custody, Sonko had Plan B, C, D, which he invoked  and secured the nominations of Diomaye Faye and others to run for the Presidency since his Candidature was completely denied by executive decision. By the time the President knew about these nominations of PASTEF members and Diomaye Faye in particular, it was too late to cancel the process. 

Sonko pointed Diomaye to his party members and to the Senegalese as his nominee as flag bearer of the race to State House. As luck will come the way, by the executive and amnesty orders, Sonko, Diomaye Faye and all political prisoners were released from jail and allowed to participate in the election process. 

The credit, in this regard, despite all that had happened before in the political tensions, must be given to Macky Sall government for accepting in the end, the consolidation of democracy  and the conduct of peaceful, free and fair elections in Senegal which saw the overwhelming victory of Bassirou Diomaye Faye under the influence of Ousman Sonko. 

The influence of incumbency did not hold water for Macky’s candidate and that of BBY Mr. Amadou Bah. Such political miscalculations have similarly occurred in The Gambia as well when the main opposition leader Darbo and most of the UDP executive prior to the 2016 Presidential elections, were jailed by the former President Jammeh . 

He too thought the game was over for the main opposition. The UDP came up with Plan B which eventually led to the emergence of Adama Barrow of the party and the Coalition leader elected as President of the republic. Macky, in the name of the law, jailed his opponents. Jammeh, in the name of the law, jailed his opponents. 

They both in the end suffered the political humiliation of their people and a tainted legacy that should not have been the case in view of the good work  done in the course of their Presidency. 

In conclusion, it is to be said that if African leaders are unable to critically perceive the themes of their tenure of office which leads to discontentment of the people, they will be carried along in the wake of change. We have seen it happen here in The Gambia, in Guinea Conakry, in Gabon, in Mauritania, in Liberia, in Senegal last week and elsewhere in Africa. 

It must be stated that there is a new wave of generational consciousness which transcends tribal, regional, religious, parental boundaries and that cannot be swayed by the old guard into dying for a system that has failed them and the nation and yet want to hang on to power as long as possible. 

The people become tired of seeing such political leadership and normally opt for a change. Senegal VOTE 2024 is a political lesson for Africa. 

Now the Senegalese people must be the change they want to see if they are to enjoy the dividends of democracy and development under the promises that have been made by PASTEF. 

The Gambia stands ready  to further deepen the cordial, brotherly and fruitful ties which existed between the two countries. The Gambia, without being loud about it, I could sense had strongly flexed her diplomatic muscles to see to the amicable resolutions to the political impasse in Senegal. 

The Gambia and Senegal are inextricably linked by blood and have every reason to be concerned about peace and stability in Senegambia. A conflicted political system normally produces surprising circumstances and outcomes contrary to the expectations of the people. 

It takes time for the shock and deafening silence to be over with some people in such a situation. Senegal will eventually settle down to the reality of a government of PASTEF as was the case in The Gambia in 2017 with the Coalition government. Inshallah