For quite some time, Mr. Ousmane, an influential and prominent political opposition leader of the PASTEF, has pursued his desire for the Presidential seat in Senegal. Amid his course, he has had to take the state authorities head-on. During a recent press conference in Dakar, Mr. Ousmane called on Senegal’s religious leaders to a debate.
“We asked the religious authorities to help – because nothing can come out of a dialogue held only between political actors – and to be guarantors of what should be done, especially on the question of the third mandate. We don’t want to hear about it anymore.”
While addressing the public, Mr. Ousmane also confidently condemned anyone who was planning to stand for a third Presidential seat. He said the issue was out of the question, and the day anyone would attempt, they would remove him from the presidential palace. The whole meeting was directed to President Macky Sall. Sonko and Macky have been rivals for quite some time. Mr. Ousmane gained prominence and became Macky Sall’s main opponent after he was arrested last February.
Senegalese in Support of Ousmane
Many Senegalese were in agreement with Ousmane’s speech during the press conference. They took to the streets of Dakar, demonstrating their solidarity with him. Sources reported that the civilians saw Ousmane as a solution to the problems dominating their state.
The rate at which Senegalese gathered together was unexpected; no such unity has been seen in Senegal’s history. And amid their gathering, they celebrated Ousmane Sonko and cheered his name.
“The whole political class, the civil society, citizens stood together to say that enough is enough. But we must understand that this movement is not only linked to the Ousmane Sonko case. It is the accumulation of a set of frustrations, refusal, and rejection of Macky Sall’s methods.”
Other than the people, the other opposition leaders also backed Mr. Ousmane. Khalifa Sall, former Dakar mayor, and Macky’s long-term opponent, said that he was joining hands with Mr. Ousmane to liberate Senegal. He claimed that their decision to stand together marked the start of a new Senegal. And the new beginnings were going to provide them a chance to democracy and continue to enhance it.
Meanwhile, amid the Saturday protests, state authorities were quick to dismiss the people. However, Ousmane supporters claimed that if the government continued to ignore their demands, they would arrange new protests.
What Challenges Do Senegalese Face?
Many years down the line and Senegal continues to deteriorate in the realms of poverty. Its economic growth continues to plunge, especially with the emergence of the novel virus. Cases of unemployment have been on the rise for quite a long time, leaving many to depend on humanitarian aid for survival.
In most parts of the West African states, food insecurity has caused many children to suffer from malnutrition or even succumb. On the other hand, their education sector has been crippled because of the country’s unending instability. Most Senegalese blame the current situation of the country on their President. Thus, the force inciting his retirement is quite massive.
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