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https://theconversation.com/macky-sall-throws-senegals-democratic-credentials-into-doubt-222923>
"Senegal’s President Macky Sall announced in early February that presidential
elections, originally scheduled for 25 February, would be postponed
indefinitely. The announcement has raised fears of popular protests, violent
repression, a once democratic president transforming into an authoritarian
ruler – and possibly even another coup d’état in west Africa.
There has been a flurry of coups in the region since 2020 – Mali in August that
year followed by a second in 2021. Guinea also saw a coup that year and Burkina
Faso a year later. In July 2023 the military took control in Niger.
Senegal has never suffered a coup d'etat and has been considered the region’s
most stable democracy.
Since independence in 1960 it has had three peaceful transitions of power.
First in 1980, from Leopold Senghor to Abdou Diouf; then, in 2000, from Diouf
to Abdoulaye Wade; and then, in 2012, from Wade to Sall.
In political science terminology, a democracy is considered consolidated only
after a “double turnover”. This is when an opposition party which came to power
through democratic elections (the first turnover) itself hands over power to
its opposition after losing democratic elections (the second turnover).
I am a political scientist and researcher with an interest in African politics
and democracy building. Based on my experience, I believe Senegal is
exceptional in west Africa.
The country has enjoyed a “triple turnover” of power through democratic
elections. Yet all three of these peaceful democratic transitions were preceded
by a crisis with incumbent presidents attempting to remain in office beyond
their constitutional mandate.
Senegal’s democratic credentials seemed to be cemented by the fact that none of
the presidents succeeded in staying on unconstitutionally.
This track record should be used to evaluate the prospects of a new president
coming to office."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
