By: Momodou Justice Darboe & Nyima Sillah
The Gambian Civil Society has called on President AdamaBarrow to engage his Senegalese counterpart to obtain his assurance and commitment to a free, fair, and peaceful presidential election in Senegal as scheduled.
Civil Society also called on the Government of The Gambia toassume a leading and instrumental role in ensuring that Senegal does not veer off the democratic path “at this most important time”.
“To ECOWAS and the African Union, we say this matter is of utmost urgency[and] therefore should ensure democracy does not suffer in Senegal and our Senegambia Region,” said the civil society.
The Gambian civil society said it has taken President MackySall’s election postponement announcement with a grain of salt, adding that the development endangers peace and stability in both The Gambia and Senegal.
“The Gambian Civil Society hereby wishes to state categorically that it has great reservations about the position taken by President Macky Sall, which is not only a violation of the Constitution but also threatens the peace and stability of both Senegal and The Gambia and undermines the democratic gains Senegal has registered over the years,” stated a press release from TANGO.
The Gambian Civil said it received Macky Sall’s 3rd Februaryelection postponement announcement with grave concern.
“In his address to the Senegalese people, President Sall noted the dispute involving the National Assembly and the Constitutional Council on allegations of corruption of judges relating to the disqualification of Presidential candidate Karim Wade, and the emerging information regarding the dual citizenship of another Presidential aspirant Rose Wardini.
President Sall said that while he did not wish to intervene between the Judicial and legislative bodies, he was committed to ensuring that national institutions function.
As a result, he has decided to postpone the February 25 presidential election until the matter is resolved in the wake of the parliamentary inquiry.
We note with deep dismay that after serving his full two terms, President Macky Sall, who enjoyed a peaceful transfer of power from former President Abdoulaye Wade in 2012, would end his tenure and legacy by creating an unnecessary legal and institutional crisis in his country. In line with democratic principles and the rule of law, the verdict of the Constitutional Council should have been respected by all parties.”
The Civil Society said it does not hold the view that the disqualification of a presidential candidate or allegations of corruption against judges warrants the postponement of a presidential election as those affected have the right to take legal recourse.
“Those who allege have a right and opportunity to go to court, but the democratic process must not be made to suffer and plunging the country into chaos as is evident over the past 48 hours with violent clashes in the cities and towns of Senegal since the announcement of the postponement. The Gambia Civil Society is indeed deeply concerned by the recent events in Senegal orchestrated by the Government of President Sall,” TANGO contended in the release issued on February 5th.
It said: “These events relate to the incidence of arbitrary arrest, detention, torture of political opponents, Civil Society actors, Journalists, and ordinary citizens for merely expressing dissent. We have noted with great concern the hundreds of Senegalese under detention without trial including Presidential candidates while groups, parties and media houses are either banned or closed for merely exercising their democratic rights.
As our most immediate neighbour and with whom we share close social and cultural ties, the Gambian Civil Society just like the Gambia Government and indeed all Gambians have a historic duty to stand with the people of Senegal to ensure peace and democracy prevail. We all share the same responsibility to care for each another.
The destiny of the Gambia and Senegal are intertwined and cannot be separated hence the people of these two sister Republics cannot and must not ignore the prevailing conditions in either society, whether good or bad.”
The Gambian Civil Society, therefore, called on President Macky Sall and all the relevant institutions in Senegal, especially the National Assembly to withdraw from any acts or omissions that will undermine democracy and threaten the peace and stability of Senegal.
It also called on President Sall to immediately rescind his decision to postpone the election and rather provide all the necessary resources, space, and security to ensure that Senegalese go to the polls on 25 February 2024 to elect their new leaders.
“We strongly hold that if ECOWAS and AU had indeed keenly followed the situation in Senegal over the past few years and engaged the Government of Macky Sall accordingly, the current situation could have been avoided. Therefore, we call on the ECOWAS Heads of State and the Commission to ensure that nothing undermines constitutionalism in Senegal,” stated the release signed by TANGO chairperson Yadicon Njie Eribo.
“As a region grappling with several military juntas amidst the broader context of longstanding armed conflicts, every effort must be exerted to ensure that Senegal does not become the latest basket case of a state to face unconstitutional change of government or civil strife. Senegal must not be allowed to fall. Up until these unfortunate actions, Senegal was a leading beacon of democracy and hope for not only West Africa but also for the rest of the continent,” added the release.
“Senegal has been cited and noted with admiration for maintaining a democratic society in which civil and political rights were fully enjoyed. If we allow democracy to slide down in Senegal, it may indeed signal irreparable damage to the future peace and stability of not only this beautiful country but indeed for the rest of the continent,” the release concluded.