Senegal’s democratic process is a source of inspiration for some

Outgoing President Macky Sall’s decision to postpone Senegal’s elections sparked months of debate and political crisis, but the country has finally succeeded. The election was held in a calm, credible and transparent environment, with a new president elected and ready to be sworn in. Some say what happened in Senegal could inspire others in sub-Saharan Africa.

The tensions of the past few months appear to be fading away, replaced by hopes that Senegal’s reputation as a beacon of democracy in the region can be restored.

Barrister Agbor Bala, chairman of the African Center for Human Rights and Democracy, told VOA that Senegal’s success could help reverse the wave of military coups in the region.

“If Macky Sall stays longer, it could trigger a coup. Looking at other countries around Senegal in West Africa, we have seen how civilian governments have been overthrown by the military,” Barra said.

Guinea recently experienced a coup, and Ibrahima Diallo, founder of the National Front for the Defense of Democracy and Human Rights, felt the same way. Diallo told VOA that Senegal’s democratic lessons resonated.

“I think the electoral process in Senegal has given democracy activists in Guinea and elsewhere in West Africa more power and a solid argument to say that there is no other path to the stability and development of our country than the path of democracy. .”He said.

Diallo said he and others hoped the military junta led by Mamadi Doumbouya, who ousted Guinean President Alpha Condé in 2021, would soon organize elections. Alpha Conde), but this never happened.

“We decided to demonstrate to remind the junta that when it took over it had promised to transition the country to civilian rule. I was arrested and spent 9 months in jail without trial just because I asked the junta to respect their Power, he said, through the organization of free and fair elections, the transition to civilian rule and the return to military camp.”

Prince Michael Nwese Ekoso is the national chairman of the United Socialist Democratic Party of Cameroon, a country that has been ruled by the same leader for more than four decades.

“We have had a lot of setbacks under the current regime. Just as the Senegalese stood up and said we will follow the wishes of the people and they will follow the country’s legal system, I appeal to Cameroonians, especially young people like me Cameroonians and others went to register for electoral lists on a massive scale,” he said.

Ekoso, 48, hopes to one day replace 91-year-old Paul Biya, one of Africa’s longest-serving presidents.

He congratulated the people of Senegal and President-elect Basilou Diomaye Faye on their victory in the recent elections, following a political crisis triggered by outgoing President Macky Sall’s failed attempt to delay the vote. Faye defeated the ruling coalition candidate Amadou Ba in the first round with more than 54% of the vote.