Sengegal Could Return to Democracy and a Sane Government

Defying the Odds SENEGAL An anti-establishment candidate is predicted to win Senegal’s long-awaited presidential election on Monday, signaling potential radical change in one of coup-prone West Africa’s more stable democracies, the Guardian reported. Early returns showed opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye far ahead of other candidates in Sunday’s vote. While other candidates conceded defeat, Amadou Ba of the ruling party has already asked for a runoff vote. In Senegal’s two-round system, a runoff is held if no candidate wins an absolute majority in the initial race. Final results are expected later this week. Faye’s victory would imply radical change for Senegal, said analysts. He has promised voters he would address systemic issues facing the country, including its relationship with its former colonial power, France. His pledges include abandoning the CFA Franc, a single currency used in eight West African countries. Critics have described the CFA Franc, which is pegged to the euro, as a legacy of French colonialism – CFA initially was an acronym for French Colonies in Africa, but now means “Financial Community in Africa.” Faye also pledged to renegotiate mining, gas, and oil contracts with foreign companies ahead of hydrocarbon production starting later this year. Senegalese expect this to boost their economy after years of stagnation. The early returns also mirrored popular frustration with the administration of incumbent President Macky Sall, who backed Ba in the election. He faced criticism for failing to address economic woes, such as unemployment and widespread poverty, and harassing the country’s political opposition. Sall’s decision to cancel the presidential election in February heightened political instability, triggering a wave of deadly protests before the government and the top court agreed on the new election date of March 24. Numerous political opponents were jailed in the months leading up to the vote. Faye himself was only released a few days ago and ran on behalf of Ousmane Sonko, an opposition figure disqualified from the race by the courts at the government’s prompting. Sonko enjoys massive support from Senegal’s youth. More than half of Senegalese are under 25. Senegal has long been held as a model for the region. But more recently, concerns arose about democratic backsliding in the country, which is surrounded by neighbors now ruled by military juntas following coups.