The 2024 presidential election in Senegal brings new challenges to democracy and increased demands from youth for more freedom and social justice. Since 2019, the unrest has raised doubts about the country’s democratic model, recognized in Africa for its political traditions anchored since the colonial period. The Macky Sall era is marked by authoritarian tendencies and marked citizen resistance.
Senegal, with a population of 18 million in 2023, is a bastion of democracy with regular elections. From 1914, with Blaise Diagne, the country developed a political scene influenced by colonialism. In 1960, the country gained independence, establishing parliamentary rule initially. However, a crisis in 1962 led to a presidentialist system limiting civil liberties. A modest democratic opening began in the 1970s, but it was under Abdou Diouf that electoral reforms were put in place after contested elections in 1983 and 1988.
Political reforms combined with an economic crisis favored the alternation of 2000, bringing Abdoulaye Wade to power. However, his style of governance was considered autocratic, pushing for citizen movements like the National Conference of 2008-2009. These movements played a crucial role in the change of government in 2012.
Macky Sall, succeeding Wade, faced a youth especially disappointed by his economic policy. Indeed, between 2012 and 2023, unemployment remained high, and the living conditions of young people have barely changed. Illegal immigration has become an escape route for some of these young people.
Macky Sall’s regime is criticized for its authoritarian excesses, in particular the imprisonment of opponents like Karim Wade and Khalifa Sall. These actions weakened the president’s legitimacy, culminating in post-election violence in 2019.
Ousmane Sonko’s popularity represents a challenge for the regime, but legal accusations have targeted him, adding to political tensions. The Constitutional Council, however, played a stabilizing role, notably by declaring a law extending the presidential mandate unconstitutional in 2024.
Despite these controversies, the presidential election of March 2024 saw a political alternation with the victory of the coalition led by Ousmane Sonko, symbolizing the population’s desire for change. This new transition highlights the resilience of Senegalese democracy and underlines the importance of reformed governance to meet the aspirations of citizens, particularly young people.
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