Congratulations, Mr President: Let’s get to work!
In the heart of West Africa, a region perpetually seeking stability, Senegal has just taken a decisive step forward in its democratic history. The election of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, born in 1980, marks the beginning of a new chapter full of hope and expectations for the Senegalese people.
The road to this historic election has not been without its pitfalls. The young people of Senegal, in particular, have rallied as one to demand a brighter future, driven by years of pent-up frustration and dashed hopes.
This turning point, marked by the departure of Macky Sall after two terms marred by controversy, the erosion of institutions, a decline in democracy and a certain sense of disillusionment, now leaves the country facing the immense scale of its own challenges. I shall refrain from recounting the depths into which Macky Sall’s regime has plunged Senegal. I have already discussed this in several of my articles over the past few years.
Mr President, your election is no accident. It is the result of a thirst for renewal deeply rooted in the hearts of the Senegalese people, particularly its passionate youth, who yearn for better days. Today, you embody more than just a change in leadership; you are the symbol of a break with years of crisis of sovereignty and decline. Your term of office must be one of reconciliation, reconstruction and, above all, action.
Restoring confidence in democratic institutions
The first challenge standing in your way is that of reconciling the Senegalese people, which will essentially involve restoring confidence in democratic institutions. Recent years have been marked by a debilitating erosion of the Senegalese people’s confidence in the institutions’ ability to act for the common good, undermined by allegations of corruption, the arbitrary arrests of political opponents, and a general sense of injustice. It is imperative to re-establish transparent, accountable and inclusive governance that places the interests of the people above all else. Let the recommendations of the National Conference and the conclusions of the CNRI serve as your guiding principles for this first mission, which is so important in light of the citizens’ democratic aspirations.
Promoting a fair and independent justice system
Recent years have also seen politics become increasingly politicised, with the justice system at times serving as a tool in the hands of the executive. Between unpunished crimes, tolerated police brutality, torture and arbitrary arrests, never before in our nation’s political history has the justice system been so flouted and criticised.
There is an urgent need to establish the best possible framework for the independence of the judiciary in order to ensure that justice is administered fairly, regardless of status or political affiliation. This will require a far-reaching reform of the judicial system, ensuring its autonomy and its ability to act as a true guardian of citizens’ rights and freedoms. No judicial decision must ever again be dictated by politicians, and every effort must be made to prevent human rights violations, infringements of individual and collective freedoms, restrictions on the scope of freedoms, and the systematic violent repression of demonstrations. Make the separation of powers the cornerstone of the stability of your term of office.
Meeting economic and social aspirations
Senegal’s young people, who harbour immense hopes, expect your government to open up genuine economic prospects. Youth unemployment, which stood at 37 per cent in the final quarter of 2023, is a scourge that weighs heavily on the social fabric. Waves of emigration, coupled with a lack of support for the informal sector, constitute real bottlenecks for Senegal’s ‘young’ society. Your government must stimulate innovation, support entrepreneurship and invest in key sectors of the economy to create sustainable jobs. The digital revolution offers employment opportunities, solutions to the challenges of access to knowledge, and the emergence of a new parallel economy.
Seize this opportunity whilst it lasts and rekindle this creative genius and Senegalese ingenuity, which are the very essence of our development and our influence as a nation. At the same time, improving access to education and healthcare for all must be an absolute priority. Society’s expectations deserve special attention; let them form the cornerstones of your roadmap.
Make Senegal’s young people the driving force behind change.
Strengthening social cohesion and national unity
Senegal, a land of diversity and cultural riches, has experienced periods of tension that have threatened its unity. Your role will also be to work towards national reconciliation, by promoting inter-community dialogue and ensuring that all voices, in all their diversity, are heard and respected. The aim is to build a united Senegal, where every citizen, regardless of their origin, religion or beliefs, feels they are an integral part of the national project. Let freedom of expression and opinion be the driving forces behind political life.
The people of Senegal need to reconcile with one another and move beyond bitter feelings and hatred. Be the architects of this national reconciliation, which will be our national salvation.
L’heure est à l’action !
Mr President, this new political and democratic transition symbolises the hopes of thousands of young people and Senegalese citizens who aspire to a better life, a fairer society and a more stable democracy. Your election today embodies the hopes of a generation and symbolises the dawn of a new era.
Mr President, expectations are high, but your election is proof that the Senegalese people believe in change. By working together with your government, Parliament and civil society, and by listening to the needs and aspirations of your fellow citizens, you can lead Senegal towards a promising future. It is time to address the shortcomings of our democratic system, to redefine priorities in our bilateral and multilateral relations, to ensure the country reaps the benefits of its own natural resources, and to work towards a more just, more prosperous and more united Senegal.
Let us set to work, Mr President, to write a new chapter in Senegal’s history – a chapter in which every citizen can find their place and contribute to their country’s prosperity. Do not forget this: the level of maturity of the Senegalese people is not merely a matter of theory; it is a reality that must be taken into account.
