⏱ Temps de lecture : 6 minutes
The moment of truth for Senegal
There are moments in the history of nations where immobilism becomes a dangerous luxury.
For Senegal, this moment has arrived.
We celebrated our independence more than sixty years ago. Yet, our trajectory remains bogged down by inherited political habits, persistent economic dependencies and an imported social model that does not match our realities. Changes in presidents, political alternations and electoral promises were not enough to transform the deep structure of our society.
The truth is simple: as long as the foundations remain the same, the same causes will produce the same effects. And these foundations, we didn't build them ourselves. We inherited systems designed elsewhere, for other peoples and other purposes.
If we want to break with this cycle, we need a clear national project: a complete overhaul of our institutions, our governance and our relationship to the state. A thought-out project by us, for us.
Historical roots of prolonged dependency
Centuries of slavery and trafficking
Our history bears the scars of centuries of exploitation. First the trans-Saharan trade, then the transatlantic trade: millions of men and women torn from their land, deprived of their freedom, reduced to the state of goods. This human bleed has not only weakened our societies, but has also established in our collective unconscious a relationship of domination and submission.
Triangular trade and colonization
For more than four hundred years Europe has built its wealth on the exploitation of our resources and our labour force.
In the 19th century, colonization came to complete this grip. The colonizers imposed their languages, laws, economic structures and borders, often drawn in disregard of local cultural and ethnic realities.
Truncated independences
In 1960, our flags floated proudly. But the freedom we thought we had conquered was largely conditioned by the interests of our former masters. Our economies have remained focused on exporting raw materials. Our institutions have been modelled on foreign models. And our foreign policy has remained tied to unequal alliances.
« Freedom doesn't give itself up, it breaks out. » — Patrice Lumumba
This historical reminder obliges us to understand that real independence can only come from a strong internal will, supported by institutions designed to serve the interests of the nation.
The reality of the banana republics
Our current political system, despite its democratic clothes, functions as a machine to reproduce inequalities and keep the country in a fragile position.
The democracy of clientelism
In Senegal, to be elected, it is not enough to have a solid programme or a clear vision. Above all, we must build a political clientele, water billions, promise jobs and favours. Electoral campaigns become money distribution competitions more than confrontations of ideas. Only recently did this change with the arrival of the PASTEF in power. I hope it lasts!
A hypertrophied presidential power
The President of the Republic concentrates a huge power:
- Appointment to strategic positions.
- Control of colossal political funds without proper accountability.
- Distribution of land in the national domain.
Under such conditions, institutions become dependent on the goodwill of one man.
Impaired counter-powers
The National Assembly, which is supposed to represent the people, is often transformed into a recording chamber. Deputies from the presidential majority simply approve executive decisions.
Justice, theoretically independent, is often under political pressure.
A vulnerable press and predatory elites
The press, for lack of financial resources, struggles to play its full role of counter-power.
As for elites, they often behave as predators, using their positions to enrich rather than serve the common interest.
Why the elites won't reform the system
Those who benefit from an unjust system have no interest in changing it.
The power circles ensure that their privileges are preserved, even if this means hindering the development of the country.
The example of the attempt to third presidential term before the last alternation is spoken: the entourage of the head of state, who owes his political survival to his presence at the top, pushes him to maintain himself, even to provoke institutional crises.
The pillars of a national re-foundation
Reforming our society does not mean destroying everything, but rebuilding on a solid basis and adapted to our realities.
1. Reducing presidential power
- Limit its prerogatives.
- Decentralize powers to regions and municipalities.
- Establish independent counter-powers.
2. Focusing the State on its core missions
- Health, education, security, justice, food agriculture and infrastructure.
- Stop dispersing resources on prestige projects at the expense of basic needs.
3. Guaranteeing fundamental rights
- Free and universal access to health and education.
- Accessible housing policy.
- Food self-sufficiency.
4. Sanctuary of the Constitution
- Limitation of untouchable warrants.
- Real independence from justice.
- Increased secularism.
Economic sovereignty and protection of resources
A country that does not control its resources remains a dependent country.
We need to:
- Prohibit the sale of land to foreigners.
- Review mining and fishing contracts.
- Obliging foreign companies to integrate national ownership.
- Nationalize health and education to avoid their commodification.
Transparency and accountability
Transparency should not be a slogan, but a daily practice.
- Systematic publication of public contracts.
- Recruitment by skill, not favor.
- Independent and elected oversight body.
- Evaluation and sanctioning of elected officials according to their commitments.
A fairer and more equal society
- Tax reform proportional to the means of each.
- Seizure of illegally acquired property.
- Exemplary sanctions against embezzlement of public funds.
- Equal treatment between citizens regardless of their beliefs.
International inspirations: lessons to be learned
- Rwanda zero tolerance for corruption, budgetary discipline.
- Botswana : exemplary management of mineral resources.
- Singapore Good governance and strategic planning.
These examples show that with strong political will and a transparent system, even small countries can become models of development.
The call for collective responsibility
The salvation of Senegal will not come from a providential man.
It will come from our collective ability to demand, build and protect a just system.
Reforming our society is a historic emergency. If we do not do so now, we will remain trapped in the same patterns.
Time is no longer half-measures: The hour is at deep refoundation.
