From Hope to Crisis: Senegal’s Victory and Togo’s Setback
Posted: 8 April, 2024 Filed under: Nyasha Mcbride Mpani, Uncategorized | Tags: African Union's Charter on Democracy, and Governance, authoritarian regimes, changes to the constitution, constitutional change, coups, decline in democracy, democracy, discrimination, elections, fragile region, human rights abuses, pervasive corruption, restrictions on press freedom, security, Senegal, stability, Togo Leave a comment
Author: Nyasha Mcbride Mpani
Southern African project leader, Data for Governance Alliance
A few hours after 44-year-old Senegal’s President-elect Diomaye won the hotly contested elections, which had seemed impossible due to outgoing President Macky Sall’s attempt to tamper with the constitution and defer elections to November 2024, a sense of relief swept through Senegal and the region. The elections brought a sigh of relief to a region struggling with a decline in democracy, marked by excessive executive power and a rise in popular coups. His victory comes at a crucial moment and is seen as an opportunity to strengthen democracy not only in Senegal but also in West Africa. Senegal’s return as Africa’s and West Africa’s poster child for democracy is hoped for, as the region has witnessed democratic backsliding over the past years. This regression has been characterised by pervasive corruption, authoritarian regimes, restrictions on press freedom, human rights abuses, discrimination against minorities, and economic downturns, eroding public trust.
Read the rest of this entry »Senegal’s future hangs in the balance – #GardonsLesYeuxSurLeSénégal, West Africa’s longest-standing democracy!
Posted: 12 June, 2023 Filed under: Nyasha Mcbride Mpani, Uncategorized | Tags: Afrobarometer, civil rights, civil society organisations, constitutional term limits, death threats, democracy, democratic change, freedom of expression, human rights, injustice, one-man rule, one-party rule, rape, repression, Senegal, use of force, violent demonstrations, youth corruption Leave a commentAuthor: Nyasha Mcbride Mpani
Southern African project leader, Data for Governance Alliance
While the world is still grappling with the complexities arising from power struggles in Sudan, with two warlords vying for control, the situation in Senegal has added to the mounting problems on the African continent. Since February 2021, Ousmane Sonko, the leader of the Senegalese opposition, has faced charges of rape and of sending death threats. However, what started as a legal matter seems to have turned into a politically charged trial. Unfolding events have revealed a deeply troubling pattern of repression and injustice in Senegal.
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