Senegal: Hope or Regret?

Translation of an article by Marwane Ben Yahmed in Jeune Afrique

If there is one thing that the Senegalese will never again accept, it is deception. The wax waxeet ("say and retract what was said" in Wolof) is finished. It is important to remember the hope that embodied the sopi ("change") of Abdoulaye Wade in 2000. To recall the popular fervor in the aftermath of a victory that already constituted a lesson in democracy so rare on the continent. The fruits of this, however, have never passed the promise of flowers. And the Wade style, a complicated mix of determination and vision, but also arrogance and erratic governance where all shots are allowed, eventually convinced the Senegalese it was time to turn a page, which should have been turned five years earlier.

Macky Sall, who knows his country well- its political classes, its administration, and the pitfalls that are sure to stand in his way- knows very well that he is not entitled to error and that the patience of his compatriots has been reduced to almost nothing. But knowledge and ability are two different things. He needs time, resources, and also men and women around him who will prioritize the public interest, all of which are rare commodities these days ...

An Opposite Approach
During his first six months as the head of the state, "Macky" essentially installed his base of his power. Once again, he took the opposite approach of his predecessor and former mentor, establishing dialogue and shared responsibility with his allies as the mode of governance, often to the detriment of his own party. Wade had broken the chain alliances one by one, which was the inevitable constraint of a man convinced of his superiority and unwilling to make concessions.

The head of state also imposed a style in keeping with that which had captivated the Senegalese during his crossing of the desert and then his rise to power - sober, calm and consistent - and took drastic measures intended to give substance to his policy of breaking with the past, including the reduction of the lifestyle of the State (to try to recover the money that had "evaporated") and social measures, through the highly symbolic Habré case. However, he is not anti-Wade at all costs: Contrary to popular belief, he has retained some skills from Wade, sending the message that he remains a man of no compromise, obsessed with settling accounts, for which the transition does not necessarily make a clean sweep of the past. Senegal cannot afford to begin again twenty times on a project that has never accomplished.

A Complex Equation
Macky has acted patiently so far, without any real missteps. His natural reserve gives some the impression he does not know where he is going. Others accuse him of not having a "great vision" for his country, unlike Wade. Like François Hollande in France, his qualities of yesterday could become his weaknesses of tomorrow in the eyes of an impatient opinion.

Macky therefore has no alternative but to solve an equation: profoundly reform a country that has long been contented with short-term solutions, rather than the decidedly more complex remedies they require, while setting a course in the medium and long term to finally place Senegal on the African scene for what it is - economically, culturally and diplomatically – rather than merely due to the personality of its leader. A challenge, certainly, but also a necessity. One term is obviously not enough. The Senegalese must therefore decide in 2017 if the path is correct and if it is worth pursuing. More reason not to disappoint.

To read the original French text of this article, visit the Jeune Afrique site here