In the aftermath of Senegalese President Macky Sall’s speech on Monday, July 3rd, announcing that he will not be a candidate for his succession in the next presidential election, many questions remain unanswered. While no one has been put forward by the presidential camp, the Benno Bokk Yaakar coalition will have to find a dolphin in less than eight months.
For many, the renunciation of Macky Sall to a new candidacy is a relief, an announcement of candidacy raised fears of new tensions. The decision of President Macky Sall comes to appease, at least for the moment, a very tense political climate, after the deadly violence at the beginning of June.
“I have a code of honor and a sense of historical responsibility which commands me to preserve my dignity and my word”, said Macky Sall in his message to the Nation. I have a clear conscience and memory of what I said, wrote, and repeated.
However, it has sent signals in recent months that indicate otherwise. Moreover, relatives, party executives, and ministers defended tooth and nail the idea of a new candidacy: this could not have been accomplished without the approval of the President.
What could have tipped the scales? Street pressure? Petitions, demonstrations in particular of the platform of the living forces F24? Or international pressure, whose chancelleries were not in favor of a third term, the image of Macky Sall and that of Senegal itself risked suffering.
One can also wonder what role and influence the religious leaders had, Macky Sall went to see the Caliph General of the Mouride Brotherhood a few weeks ago. In any case, it is difficult for the moment to know precisely.