Senegal goes to the polls after pre-election chaos : NPR

Senegal holds elections this weekend. Lastly. The West African nation has lengthy been lauded as a steady, even mannequin democracy, in a area rife with political crises and coups.

However the previous few years have belied that picture. President Macky Sall’s unprecedented choice in February to increase his keep in workplace and delay the elections till the top of the yr — after they had been initially deliberate to be held later that month — outraged many each at dwelling and overseas.

Senegal has loved a peaceable switch of energy in each election since independence in 1960 from former colonial ruler France. However the president’s announcement on state TV final month sparked protests and a constitutional disaster. Inside two weeks, his decree was reversed by the nation’s constitutional court docket and the election date was rescheduled for March 24.

Why is that this such a vital election?

Considerations round a possible controversial third time period try by Sall and rising accusations of a clampdown on the media and political opponents have infected tensions in Senegal in recent times.

In July, Sall lastly put an finish to hypothesis, saying he would step down within the pursuits of stability.

The constitutional court docket has dominated that the president should depart workplace by the top of his second time period on April 2. To some, this displays the power of Senegal’s establishments and democracy. However to others, it exhibits how fragile that place actually is, in a area that’s experiencing a widespread wave of democratic regression.

​​Who’re the candidates?

On Sunday, voters will select from 19 candidates, however two of them, each former tax collectors, are extensively seen as the principle contenders.

Amadou Ba, who was prime minister till early this month, is the frontrunner within the race. The 62-year-old was endorsed by President Sall and has the load of the ruling Benno Bokk Yakaar get together. He has promised to construct on Sall’s achievements in workplace.

His predominant challenger is 43-year-old Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who was launched from jail every week earlier than the vote in a bid to ease pre-election tensions. Faye was detained with out trial final April, accused of inciting revolt. He has pledged to revive calm and unite Senegal, renegotiate oil and fuel contracts with international multinationals and substitute the France-backed West African CFA franc with a brand new forex.

Faye was freed alongside Ousmane Sonko, Senegal’s main opposition determine and a firebrand populist who was barred from working for president. Sonko has develop into Sall’s most ardent critic and galvanized many youthful folks in Senegal. However he has confronted many extended authorized battles.

Accused of rape in 2021, he was finally cleared, however then sentenced to jail for 2 years in 2023 for “corrupting a minor,” or improper habits towards a 20-year-old therapeutic massage therapist. He has repeatedly known as the fees politically motivated. Unable to participate within the election due to a defamation conviction, he has endorsed Faye.

The opposite notable presidential candidate is Anta Babacar Ngom. She is the one lady on the poll and the primary lady to run for workplace in additional than a decade. She is unlikely to realize important votes, however her presence is a nod to Senegal’s girls’s motion, which has pushed for gender parity in politics.

What are the principle points?

Including to the political tensions are financial challenges going through extraordinary folks, and the dearth of actual prospects in a rustic the place the median age is simply 18. These financial hardships have pushed 1000’s abroad, many risking their lives to make treacherous journeys to achieve Europe.

Regardless of having one of many area’s most steady and fastest-growing economies, greater than a 3rd of Senegal’s 17 million folks dwell in poverty and 1 in 5 individuals are unemployed. The price of dwelling has additionally elevated in recent times, partially pushed by the influence of the pandemic and the battle in Ukraine.

Fatoumata Bintou Zahra Sene, 21, would slightly be working however she is hanging out together with her good friend on a sunny afternoon within the Colobane neighborhood within the capital Dakar. On Sunday, she is going to vote for the primary time and for a celebration that she says guarantees to carry change.

“The dearth of jobs may be very tough for us, we have completed every little thing to discover a job to help ourselves however discovered nothing,” she advised NPR.” Folks misplaced hope a very long time in the past. However perhaps if Diomaye turns into president issues will enhance, folks will see their life circumstances enhancing.”

Solely weeks in the past, Sene’s neighborhood was the middle of anti-government protests. Tons of of individuals arrange roadblocks to decelerate police automobiles and chanted “Macky Sall is a dictator.” They had been met by dozens of police who arrested many and used tear fuel to disperse crowds.

The political uncertainty of the previous few years has led voters corresponding to Veronica Preira to push for higher checks and balances in authorities.

“We need to scale back the ability of the president as a result of in Africa, our presidents are as kings,” she stated. “They’ve [a lot] of energy and we do not really feel that we’re in a democracy.”

When will the outcomes be introduced?

The outcomes shall be declared inside just a few days of Sunday’s vote. If no candidate wins greater than 50% of the vote on Sunday, there shall be a runoff a month after the election.

Within the occasion {that a} runoff takes place, it will be after Sall’s time period ends on April 2. In keeping with the Structure, the president and speaker of parliament, Amadou Mame Diop would take over as interim president.