When one follows events in Senegal one wonders whether President Macky Sall has the type of advisers that would want him to leave a positive legacy in the annals of Senegalese politics. He was fortunate to rise quickly from the ranks to occupy many posts before becoming the president of Senegal. Under a very tight race, readers would recall that he was not the front runner in the first round of combat with President Wade. He won the second round because of coalition building.
His declaration that he would serve only two terms enabled him to be the first President of Senegal who would observe a two term limit out of his own volition.
What seems difficult for many people to digest is why the Senegalese state is still occupied with Ousmane Sonko and PASTEF. Over two hundred Senegalese citizens had initially indicated their interest to stand as candidates. News reports indicate that only 70 aspiring candidates have submitted their nomination papers. Among them are Karim Wade and Halifa Sall, who were subjected to proceedings that brought them into the hands of the law and initially barred from pursuing their presidential aspirations.
Now that they are participating in the forthcoming election, one would have thought that the Senegalese state would facilitate the participation of all in the contest, including Ousmane Sonko and thus enable Macky Sall to claim to have added value to peace and democracy in Senegal.
Somebody close to him should counsel him to rely on the last verdict of the court in Dakar as the final say in the legal battle between Sonko and the state. It would be in the interest of Macky to immediately engage in national consultation with religious leaders, prominent political personalities who are now out of the political scene, the civil society groups and other personalities of influence in Senegal on the merits of freeing Sonko and calling for national reconciliation.
The New Year should be the day to give Senegal a new start. If he were to do this despite all his mistakes, the Senegalese people will be willing to turn a blind eye to them. He would continue to play a role in Africa as a former president who respected his mandate.
This issue will be sent to the Senegalese High Commission in anticipation that the message will be sent to the President of Senegal.
