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President Macky Sall maintains the vagueness on a possible 3rd candidacy in 2024. But leaders of the majority multiply the declarations in this direction. A “red line” for several civil society organizations. After the establishment of a platform last October, they launched a “January 31 appeal” on Tuesday, and ask the Head of State to clearly – and quickly – decide the debate.
With our correspondent in Dakar, Charlotte Idrac
Like an air of deja vu… On January 31, 2012, demonstrators marched in Dakar to protest against the third candidacy of President Abdoulaye Wade. Mamadou Mbodj took part in the rallies. Eleven years later, he coordinates the platform called ” Jàmm a Gën 3rd term », « peace is better than a 3rd term ». « The story repeats itself he says.
« This is an annoying remake. It would be a serious democratic setback to come back again in 2023 to repeat what happened in 2011-2012. Each time there has been a candidate for a third term, there have been deaths, Senegal, Guinea, everywhere. We don’t want this remake. »
The collective warns against a “ risk of chaos in the country, and the end of the “Senegalese exception” in the region. But several voices accuse civil society of doing too much, of exaggerating tensions. Criticisms rejected by Senghane Senghor of RADDHO (African Meeting for the Defense of Human Rights).
« In reality, those who are arsonist firefighters are the ones who are aware that the law does not allow them to be candidates. But they are pushing the President of the Republic. We think that the mere fact that the president comes out to say, as he has always done, that he will not be a candidate, that will reduce some of the tension. »
Petition, meetings with political parties and religious authorities: the platform “ Jàmm a Gën 3rd term launched its action plan.
In addition, President Macky Sall was received on Tuesday by his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in Paris. According to the presidency in Dakar, the two heads of state have “ reviewed the bilateral agenda in the context of strengthening the ties of friendship and cooperation between Senegal and France “. They also spoke of Paris’ “reaffirmed support” for Africa’s candidacy for a permanent seat in the G20.