POLITICS
SENEGAL – Birth of a new platform for the struggle for democracy and the rule of law
Part of the Senegalese opposition, civil society and citizens’ movements met on Wednesday, March 03, 2021, to create a new platform called «Standing for Democracy and the Rule of Law». A response to the arrest of Senegalese opponent Ousmane Sonko for disturbing public order.
Senegalese civil society, citizens’ movements and part of the opposition do not intend to let pass what they call the «autocratic excesses» of the regime of Macky Sall. Following the arrest of Pastef leader Ousmane Sonko, they created a new platform for the struggle for democracy and the rule of law. “Our country, Senegal, is going through some of the darkest moments in its political history. Our democracy is undermined, perverted to the point of caricature by Mr Macky Sall and his regime. Instead of building and consolidating the rule of law, Macky Sall gave himself all the rights, including the right to choose who should or should not oppose him and his government, to decide who among the voters can vote, decide who will be able to participate in the electoral competitions,” Dr Cheikh Tidiane Dièye denounced in a statement to the press.
“In these unsettling, uncertain and difficult times in our history, where underdevelopment, poverty, corruption, disease, nepotism and carelessness have ended and undermined the public resources and quality of life of Senegalese people, Macky Sall seeks to impose on us a facade unanimism and a pale copy of the rule of law, whose sole purpose is to atomize the opposition and thus remain eternally in power», he said, considering that the rule of law and the hopes of an entire nation are threatened by injustice, iniquity and the pursuit of citizens who dare to express an opinion and life choices different from the autocratic and clientelist life system that governs us. The Ousmane Sonko case is a clear and tenacious illustration of this. The sordid plot, hatched against this MP elected by the Senegalese people, who came third in the last presidential election, is further proof of Macky Sall’s willingness to kill any opposition in Senegal,” he added.
Aware of the absolute necessity of thwarting this gross political plot and the sordid aggression fomented against one of the leaders of the Senegalese opposition, Dr Sheikh Tidiane Dièye announces that they have decided to set up a framework of unity of actions bringing together opposition parties, including the parliamentary opposition, citizens’ movements, civil society organizations, etc. “The full-scale attack on Ousmane Sonko, prepared in the highest echelons of the Benno Bokk Yakaar coalition, with the guilty complicity of certain dismemberments of the State to orders as well as his arbitrary arrest this morning is totally illegal for disturbing the public order, are of an unheard of gravity and calls us all to the urgency of organizing, to federate and mobilize all resistance to face the dangerous autocratic excesses that, if not taken care of, could precipitate Senegal into instability and tyranny,” he said.
It has, according to him, become imperative to seal this covenant of commitment, an alliance of citizens, patriots, Republicans to constitute a shield around democracy and the rule of law and to fight for an end to plots, trials of intent, the policy of intimidation and the pursuit of opposition leaders and all justice-loving citizens. “We will no longer tolerate, one after the other, day after day, that the actors of the opposition as well as of the civil society are slandered, prosecuted, deprived of their electoral rights and sent to prison through a domesticated judicial system and under the orders of a power that has finished showing its despotism».
“For Senegal and the preservation of our democratic gains, we must walk together to put an end to this farce in order to change the culture and political practices that plague our country today and that are of a different age, to put in place the conditions for a real development for our country Senegal. With this appeal, we call on all actors of the opposition, civil society and citizens’ movements to come together around this declaration to fight together to restore the rule of law, justice and democracy in Senegal. Finally, we call on all Senegalese to join the various initiatives and activities of struggle that are already launched, including the protest marches scheduled for Friday, March 5, 2021. These marches will be held throughout Senegal and in the diaspora and we invite all Senegalese women and women,” he concluded.
The non-exhaustive list of signatories to the Covenant
hierno Bocoum of the AGIR movement;
Dr Babacar Diop of the Democratic Forces of Senegal (SDF);
Aliou Sané from the “Y a en assez” movement;
The Honourable Deputy Aïda Mbodj of the And Saxal Liggey Movement;
The Honourable Member of Parliament Déthié Fall;
The Honourable Member of Parliament Moustapha Guirassy;
The Honourable Member of Parliament Sheikh Bamba Dièye;
Bougane Guèye Dani of the Gueum Sa Bopp movement;
The Honourable Member of Parliament Ousmane Sonko de Pastef/Les Patriotes;
Guy Marius Sagna and members of Frapp/France Dégage,
The representatives of the Doyna multi-struggle fronts; The members of Nio Lank,
Dr Sheikh Tidiane Dièye of the Platform Avenir Senegaal bi nu begg,
Former Minister Aminata Lô Dieng
POLITICS
SENEGAL Moussa Tine: “We launch a solemn appeal to the diaspora for the International Exhibition of Investment of the African Diaspora – SIDIA
Exclusive interview with Moussa Tine, the Director General of Urbanism and Habit. From September 26 to 28, 2025, at the Domaine de Choully, Africa – and particularly Senegal goes to meet its diaspora. For three days, the event will bring together several hundred entrepreneurs, including 30 from Senegal, investors, policy makers and artists. It is an unprecedented exhibition that brings together strategic sectors such as housing, agriculture, but also industry and commerce.
Why involve the diaspora and why organize this International Diaspora Investment Fair? Why this fair?
This exhibition today is a moment of exchange, an indispensable meeting point for government policy and particularly the policy of these three sectors, namely housing, construction, agriculture, industry and commerce. It is these three ministries that bring together their strategies, their strengths, to go out to meet the diaspora. The diaspora plays a decisive, extremely important role in the country’s economy and in its socio-economic stability. It is an important moment, a decisive moment, a moment that will also help us to financially complete a number of projects that are underway, but also to give the opportunity to the nationals of the diaspora to contribute to the development of their country. Each ministry today develops projects and this fair is an opportunity to give the diaspora the necessary information, either to integrate these projects or to collaborate with the State in the context of public-private partnerships or direct investments under the auspices of the State. Here is, in a global manner, the object of the exhibition. Today, this the exhibition is a decisive moment, an important one, with challenges defined across the three sectors I have just mentioned.
Thus, what is the economic weight of the diaspora?
The weight of the diaspora is well established. Today, it plays a decisive role in our economy. The diaspora is strong and economically involved, not only in a family way, but also through local and international initiatives. Therefore, involving the diaspora means redefining its role in a strategic way, which must no longer be limited to family support but contribute directly to the development of the country. This can be done through financial investment projects through programmes structured by the Ministry of Urban Planning, Local Authorities and Spatial Planning. I take the example of the PNALRU (National Program for Access to Housing), a project designed and led by the Ministry of Urbanism. We know that most of our fellow citizens in the diaspora have a house or housing project because they want to invest in their home. But often, they do not have the necessary information to do it in a secure way, nor quality support. Projects like the PNALRU offer a secure framework at the level of land, construction, but also marketing, in a transparent manner. These are projects that the State has implemented and which allow the diaspora to have easier access to land, and to participate directly in the national economy. The diaspora complains about not having enough information on state initiatives. This exhibition is a way to reach out to her, to provide as much information as possible about ongoing projects and integration modalities. We know that a part of the diaspora already has the initiative to return or to work in collaboration with the State. This show will therefore be a B2B meeting, a space where the diaspora and the State will be able to meet, establish collaborative relationships, and create what I often call a “return ticket”, that is to say an opportunity for many Senegalese to prepare for a secure and planned return.
Mr. Director, what is the direct message you send to the diaspora, especially to that of Geneva, because the exhibition will take place there?
Yes, the exhibition will be held in Geneva. This choice does not come by chance. Geneva is a financial capital and a business hub. Organizing it there highlights a decisive point in the outcome of projects: the financial dimension and the technical dimension. The objective is that from this exhibition, not only do we provide the necessary information to the diaspora, but also that we mobilize its capital to encourage it to invest in real estate, agriculture and industry. Each ministry will present development projects that the diaspora can appropriate, whether in housing, agriculture or industry. These sectors are linked: industry supports habitat, habitat needs building materials, and agriculture requires infrastructure. This sectoral transversality will allow for maximum opportunities to be created for the diaspora. In Geneva, for three days, we will have exchanges, panels, permanent exhibitions (more than 30 planned), and B2B meetings between the state, professionals, the diaspora, and the private sector. The aim is to mobilize investors, experts and promoters to implement joint projects.
Who are the partners of this project?
In Senegal, we have the Ministry of Urbanism, Territorial Collectivities and Spatial Planning, which leads, with the Ministries of Industry and Trade, and Agriculture as co-organizers. We also work in partnership with Me Events, a structure specialized in the organization of events, and with partners in Geneva, such as the African Village Association and Afrique Néon.
Mr. Director, to conclude, what message do you want to send to the Senegalese in the diaspora?
I take this opportunity to make a solemn appeal to all our fellow citizens of the diaspora. This exhibition is made for you. Its objective is clear: to mobilize the diaspora, not only for its expertise, but also for its investments. Invest in yourself. Invest in Senegal. Invest in Africa. This fair is yours, make it your own, and make it a channel for communication and development. The success of this exhibition will be the success of the national policy towards the diaspora. Senegal comes to you, your country comes to you, in order to discuss your projects and those we develop here. Come in large numbers, because together we can ensure inclusive development where every contribution counts. Thank you and I hope to see you very soon at the Geneva exhibition, from September 26 to 28.
Initially scheduled for Wednesday, June 11, 2025, the major march of the Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire – African Democratic Rally (PDCI-RDA), the main opposition party in Côte d’Ivoire, will finally take place on Saturday, June 14, 2025. This postponement was announced by the party’s Executive Secretary, who points out that the decision came after discussions between the PDCI leadership and the authorities of the Abidjan department. The details of these discussions have not been made public.
This demonstration, highly anticipated by the party’s activists and supporters, aims to support the candidacy of its president, Tidjane Thiam, in the presidential election of 2025, and to protest against his removal from the electoral list. A decision that the party qualifies as unfair and unacceptable, arguing for the right of all Ivorian citizens, including those with dual nationality, to participate in the political life of the country.
The route of the march remains unchanged: the protesters will leave from the SOCOCE space of the 2 Plateaux, in the municipality of Cocody, to head towards the headquarters of the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI). The party calls for a strong peaceful mobilization in order to convey a clear message: demand inclusive, transparent and peaceful elections.
The removal of Tidjane Thiam and other opposition figures is mainly based on the issue of dual nationality, a legal provision that continues to be debated as the election approaches. The PDCI, which sees in Thiam a rally candidate capable of unifying the Ivorians, intends to make this march a highlight of its campaign and its democratic fight.
Photo credit: Tidiane Thiam page
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Morissanda Kouyaté, received this Sunday, June 1, 2025 in Conakry a delegation from the African Union, on an official visit to Guinea. On this occasion, he reaffirmed the commitment of the transitional authorities to respect the deadlines set for the return to constitutional order, while stressing the historical and central role of Guinea in the construction of the Pan-African project.
« I am very happy. The African Union is at Guinea’s side to accompany and support the vision of the head of state, President Mamadi Doumbouya, in favor of Guinea and Africa, in the political, diplomatic, economic, and cultural fields, declared the head of Guinean diplomacy.
This meeting takes place in a context marked by the preparations for the constitutional referendum scheduled for next September 21.
Morissanda Kouyaté also recalled the founding involvement of Guinea in the creation of the Organization of African Unity, which became the African Union. “This visit materializes the commitment of the Peace and Security Council to accompany Guinea in a dynamic of ambitious political and diplomatic transformation,” he stressed.
The minister indicated that all actions related to the transition are currently funded by the national development budget, while calling for a broader mobilization of the international community. “We have requested a round table, called the Basketfront, to seek support to speed up the process. But this does not mean that we will give up,” he said, reiterating President Doumbouya’s willingness to scrupulously respect the scheduled deadlines.
He finally wanted to reassure on the efforts made to ensure an inclusive electoral process. “We are going through a difficult period, and that is why we want all Guineans to be registered in order to obtain a reliable electoral roll,” concluded Morissanda Kouyaté.
Source: guinee360 / Photo credit: Page Ministry of Foreign Affairs Guinea
