Democracy in West Africa: The Case of Senegal
Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s two-week transition from jail cell to president by democratic means demonstrates the strength of democracy in some West African countries, but places a spotlight on the states where power transfers were less peaceful.
The election of Faye, who defeated Amadou Ba in the first round of the Senegalese presidential election by winning 54% of the votes, was originally scheduled for February. However, then-President Macky Sall, in an attempt to hold onto power, delayed the election by persecuting opposition leaders and undermining the popular opposition party, the African Patriots of Senegal for Work, Ethics, and Fraternity (PASTEF). Among those detained were PASTEF’s leader, Ousmane Sonko, and Faye, who served as his secretary-general. Before the detainment, Sonko and PASTEF had focused particularly on denouncing corruption. While the government officially had dissolved PASTEF last summer, Sonko and Faye continued operating and pursuing many of the same goals of anti-corruption and economic sovereignty, in the process targeting and thus drawing the attention of Macky Sall.
The March 24th election ended Sall’s 12-year presidency, with citizens lined up hours before voting started, eager to cast a vote. Senegalese political turmoil turned into unrest under Sall, inspiring a leadership change. COVID restrictions during Sall’s presidency and the arrest of Sonko issued anger towards the government and sparked riots. At the time, Faye was one of those arrested following speaking out against the injustice and economic disparities within Senegal.
Civil society groups joined in an alliance, and journalists continued to report on the government abuses. Sall, finally pushed into stepping down from running again, left Sonko as the natural choice for president. However, Sonko had been barred from running as president due to convictions and past controversy. In comparison, 44-year-old Faye was little-known but a safe option.
After an amnesty law permitted Faye’s release, he became a presidential candidate, running as an independent on an anti-corruption and economic sovereignty platform particularly attractive to younger voters.
Faye proposed a change in Senegal’s relationship with the West, particularly with its former colonial holder, France. Faye promised a “Senegal First” approach, promising an audit of the oil, gas, and mining sectors to promote economic sovereignty. This is particularly critical, with BP’s 2017 discovery of large oil and gas reserves off the coast of Senegal resulting in concerns regarding corruption, western grabs for resources, and environmental degradation. Faye also seeks to reduce the unemployment rate and the number of Senegalese living in poverty, as well as reform the regional-level currency - the CFA franc.
Faye has stated that “there’s no sovereignty if there is no monetary sovereignty,” further illustrating his desire to separate from the current monetary system. Even with some of his language suggesting a separation from the West, both Emmanuel Macron of France and the State Department have congratulated the democratic victory in West Africa, focusing on the common interests and values the countries now share.
In West Africa, where a majority of the population is under 30, the success of Faye is a reminder of the power of democracy and reinforced popular confidence in the system, as well as an inspiration to other African states. Faye’s win by means of a democratic transfer of power proved to the West and other African states the possibility of successful non-violent elections, with Ugandan pro-democracy opposition leader Kizza Besigye commending the electoral process, stating that “it’s possible to non-violently achieve the desired democratic transition in Africa.” Other opposition leaders, including people from Zimbabwe and Angola in a meeting in Cape Town focused on combating the “rising tide of authoritarianism, military dictatorships, and hollowed democracies,” and, in a way, Faye seemed to focus on doing exactly that.
However, the success of democracy in Senegal is not something that can be imitated as easily by some other African states. Neighboring west African states, including Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have faced military coups in an almost domino-like effect. Since its independence from France in 1960, Senegal has not experienced a coup, which in itself is a forecaster for future nonviolent transfers of power. Similarly, Senegal’s military is not as politicized as other Sahel militaries and doesn’t have the same ties to jihadism as the other states that has resulted in “corroded” democracy. A strong democratic culture has allowed for continued success of peaceful power transfers in Senegal.
Faye must make good on his promises, however, with the challenges to democracy of unemployment, corruption, and other economic issues that could contribute to a future coup prevalent in Senegal. A transparent judiciary system and defined checks and balances of governmental powers will help to reduce corruption and political unrest. With the rising youth population holding the key to the future, Faye has to stand up for the younger people of Senegal, balance the relationship of Senegal with the west, control investment of the critical natural resources off the coast of West Africa, and keep the country strong despite being surrounded by states wherein leadership has been built upon violence.
Faye has a difficult path ahead of him, but receiving popular support from the people of Senegal, other democratic African leaders, and the west will strengthen his presidency.
As for now, Faye has people rooting for him. He just has to keep the momentum going.