lMarch 24, the eve of his 44thmy anniversary, Bassirou Diomaye Faye became the youngest president of Senegal by rallying no less than 54% of Senegalese voters in his name. This tax inspector, who had emerged as a candidate after the opposition leader, Ousmane Sonko, was elected with the promise of “overthrow the system” considered clientelist. Everyone wondered how far the “rupture” promised by this sovereigntist and pan-Africanist president who rushed to name his friend prime minister would go.
On Sunday, November 17, the two men will carry out their first electoral test during the early legislative elections that they have called. An important step for these two former high officials who, as their campaign slogan “Diomaye es Sonko” announced, govern together in a unique choreography.
Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, omnipresent, consumes public space while the president remains reserved. An unprecedented reversal of roles at the top of the executive branch in a State forged by hyper-presidentialism, a system inherited from Léopold Sédar Senghor, first president of independent Senegal, and punished by his distant successor Diomaye Faye.
A distribution of roles
As a candidate, he denounced the “control” of the then president, Macky Sall, on legislative and judicial issues and promised a constitutional reform to reduce presidential power. This distribution was agreed by the Head of State – who describes Ousmane Sonko as “the best prime minister in history” – could inspire a new governance model, not without difficulties.
“Their distribution of functions is the result of an exceptional situation. The Prime Minister chooses the President, hence the loyalty of the latter. The balance is maintained because they consult each other.”, says Maurice Soudieck Dione, associate professor of political science at the Université Gaston-Berger (UGB), in Saint-Louis, Senegal. However, the president should not give up his powers because only he has the legitimacy of universal suffrage. Otherwise, we create the conditions for a confrontation. »
Promoter of jub, jubbal, jubbanti (“righteousness, transparency and exemplarity”, in Wolof), the duo tries to establish new practices even in the financing of their party, Pastef (African Patriots of Senegal for work, ethics and fraternity).
To its activists who demand ” change “Ousmane Sonko asks to put his hand in his pocket to support the electoral campaign. “His speech is innovative compared to that of the classic political class, which encourages activists to get involved. They join out of conviction, not because they have been given money or food.”analyzes Moussa Diaw, professor emeritus of political science at the UGB.
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