The legislative elections held on November 17 in Senegal were the last act of the political turnaround that began in the presidential elections in March. In just eight months, the men and women of this country have eliminated 24 years of liberal governments, led first by Abdoulaye Wade and then by his former dolphin, Macky Sall, and have given all power to the Patriots Party, PASTEF. , a political option with barely a decade of existence that defines itself as left-wing Pan-Africanist and that has managed to seduce a large part of society with its promises of change.
The triumph of PASTEF is incontestable. One thing is that it was seen coming and another is the political tsunami that made landfall on the 17th. Faced with a bewildered opposition and in the midst of a forced reconfiguration process, Senegal has decided to give all the keys to the house to a new generation of politicians who They now face the biggest challenge: not to disappoint those who have voted for them massively and manage the illusion of millions of people who perceive them as the most suitable to lead the country along the path of development that leaves no one behind. .
Without a doubt, the person who best embodies this change is Ousmane Sonko, the tax inspector and trade unionist who more than ten years ago dared to challenge the ruling class and who today, from his position as prime minister and leader of the majority In Parliament, he controls all the levers of power. The judicial harassment to which he was subjected since 2020, which caused the worst scenes of violence in the country’s recent history with protests that were harshly repressed, only served to reinforce his popularity and make him the political reference for an entire generation. Bassirou Diomaye Faye may be the president, but it is Sonko who pulls all the strings.
And although it may seem incredible, it remains a mystery. His operation to overthrow the previous regime, his use of social networks and his speech filled with calculated populism reveal him as a fine strategist, as a political animal of the new era. However, his most reactionary side on issues of sexuality and gender, his religious vehemence, a certain persecutory desire against those who dare to contradict him or the aroma of reckoning that floats in the atmosphere after his arrival to power are red lights on. You will have time to clear up your doubts.
The moment of truth has arrived. It is time to shed the opposition’s clothing and manage the country without losing sight of the fact that those who have led him to the top expect him to fulfill his promises of change, to put an end to corruption and nepotism, to provide employment for frustrated youth. , that distributes wealth better and stands up to the hidden forces that want to continue holding the reins. Time is short.
If I have learned anything in these years, it is that the Senegalese are as effusive in their demonstrations of love as they are in their lamentations, when the time comes.
In the image above, Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko addresses his supporters on November 12, five days before the legislative elections.
