AfricaIntegrity_LogoAfricaIntegrity_LogoAfricaIntegrity_FooterLogoAfricaIntegrity_Logo
  • Who we are
    • In Brief
    • Our team
  • What we do
    • Corporate Investigations
    • Risk Advisory
    • Strategic Intelligence
    • Training and Systems Reviews
  • How we work
    • Case studies
  • Where we work
    • Coverage
  • Why us
    • Why us
  • Contact us
August 11, 2022
Categories
  • Africa Integrity insights
  • West Africa
Tags

Senegal: A Term Too Far

On 31st July, Senegal went to the polls to vote for its National Assembly and, for the first time in the country’s history, the president’s party failed to secure an absolute majority. This followed on from disappointing local election results in January, which saw the ruling coalition – Benno Bokk Yaakaar – lose control of the capital, Dakar. The results have not only shown the robustness of Senegal’s democratic system, which has been seen as under threat in recent years, but also dealt a significant blow to President Macky Sall’s rumoured plans for a constitutionally questionable third term.

Benno Bokk Yaakaar remains the largest party in the National Assembly, having secured 82 of the available 165 seats, but the opposition alliance of the Yewwi Askan Wi and Wallu Senegal political coalitions was a close second with 80 seats. This represented a loss of 43 seats for the ruling coalition, which will now struggle to enact its agenda. The remaining seats were won by three smaller political coalitions, which will be courted by both sides throughout this parliamentary term.

The success of Senegal’s opposition was especially notable, given that Yewwi Askan Wi’s original candidate list was disqualified by the country’s constitutional court on technical grounds in June 2022. This meant that its leader – Ousmane Sonko – and many other well-known figures in the coalition were barred from running. Consequently, many of the coalition’s candidates were largely unknown ahead of the election. Its success, therefore, shows the growing opposition to Benno Bokk Yaakaar, which has been galvanised by rumours of Macky Sall running for a third term in 2024.

The disqualification of Yewwi Askan Wi’s candidate list was another sign of the increasing rollback of democracy in Senegal under President Macky Sall, which has contributed to rumours of a third term. Criminal charges have been brought against three of Macky Sall’s closest political rivals and greater restrictions have been placed on opposition-led demonstrations. Once such rival is Sonko, whose arrest sparked violent protests in March 2021. Similar protests took place following the disqualification of the candidate list in June 2022, which threatened Senegal’s image of stability ahead of the election.

Nevertheless, the election went ahead peacefully and, although some concerns were raised by the opposition alliance about voting irregularities, it has decided not to appeal the results. It is likely that this will not only restore a degree of trust in the country’s democratic institutions but also reduce the likelihood of further violent clashes between opposition protestors and the police.

This likely reduction of unrest will be helped by the fact that a third term for Macky Sall now looks increasingly unlikely. Under Senegal’s constitution, presidents are only allowed to serve for two terms, but, following a constitutional referendum in 2016, there have been rumours that Macky Sall will use this to justify standing for a third. However, now lacking an absolute majority in the National Assembly and having to contend with a stronger opposition, it is likely that the president will reconsider any such plans. If he does not, Senegal will almost certainly experience a prolonged period of political and societal instability.

Share

Recent Posts

  • Nigeria 2023: A Three Horse Race? November 3, 2022
  • Senegal: A Term Too Far August 11, 2022
  • Seismic Electoral Politics in Africa August 3, 2022
  • Africa Integrity Foresight – Russia & Ukraine: Food Insecurity Feeds Instability May 5, 2022

AFRICA INTEGRITY INSIGHTS

Twitter

#SouthSudan: President Salva Kiir makes a second unilateral decision this month regarding the defence ministry - following the removal of Vice President Riek Machar's wife - by appointing an ally to the key ministry, jeopardising the faltering peace agreement made in 2018

Reuters Africa @ReutersAfrica

South Sudan president appoints own defence minister, breaching peace deal https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/south-sudan-president-appoints-own-defence-minister-breaching-peace-deal-2023-03-30/

#Kenya: Tensions continue to increase in Kenya, as opposition-led protests show little sign of abating, and government supporters have turned to attacking properties owned by political figures, including former President Kenyatta.

BBC News (World) @BBCWorld

Hundreds of protesters storm property of former Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta https://bbc.in/3JRl5Zg

#Russia is seeking to use the Black Sea grain deal to strengthen its position/influence in #Africa. Given the levels of food inflation in Africa and that it only received 17% of shipments from the original deal, this is likely to gain notable traction on the continent

The EastAfrican @The_EastAfrican

Russia laid out conditions on Monday for agreeing to any further extension of the Black Sea grain deal, and President Vladimir Putin said that Moscow could send free grain to African countries if those conditions were not met.
https://bit.ly/3lrkjtW

#Nigeria: A significant result for both #Tinubu and #Obi, ensuring that the president-elect maintains his influence over Lagos, whilst indicating that the Labour Party is struggling to covert Obi's popularity into votes for its governorship candidates #NigerianElections2023

Reuters Africa @ReutersAfrica

The governor of Lagos easily won re-election in low turn-out local voting, a victory for Nigeria's ruling party just weeks after the commercial capital backed the opposition in a disputed presidential election. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/lagos-governor-re-elected-victory-nigeria-ruling-party-2023-03-19/

Privacy Policy • Cookie Policy • Terms and conditions • Contact us

Website by Creative Clinic