The Senegalese media was recently shaken by major news: the split between the opposition coalition Yewwi Askan Wi and the Taxawu Senegal party led by Khalifa Sall. This break was formalized by a scathing press release published last Wednesday. The coalition, which notably includes Ousmane Sonko’s Pastef, denounced “violations of the charter”, “acts of defiance” and “treason”.
The reason for this split is linked to a series of events that led to a loss of mutual trust. It all started at a municipal meeting at the town hall of Dakar, during which the first deputy mayor, Abass Fall, a member of Pastef, was replaced by Ngoné Mbengue of the Taxawu Senegal party. According to Abass Fall, this decision constitutes a violation of the coalition’s charter, due to Taxawu Senegal’s participation in negotiations with the ruling party, Benno Bokk Yaakaar, led by President Macky Sall. He also accuses Taxawu Senegal of being complicit in attempts to discredit Ousmane Sonko, including participating in attacks against the coalition in the National Assembly. Finally, Abass Fall points to the reorganization of the municipal office of Dakar, which according to him, was carried out with the aim of favoring the political training of Khalifa Sall.
The reactions were not long in coming. Barthélémy Dias, also a member of Taxawu Senegal and elected mayor of Dakar in January 2022, strongly criticized the position of Yewwi Askan Wi. In a statement, he accused the coalition of wanting to demonize Taxawu Senegal and its leader Khalifa Sall. Without naming him directly, he also claimed that Ousmane Sonko had changed his mind and betrayed their mutual support agreement for the presidential elections. Barthélémy Dias has maintained his support for Pastef in the legal cases facing Ousmane Sonko, while contesting the legitimacy of Yewwi Askan Wi’s press release which excludes his political formation.
This rupture within the Senegalese opposition is a milestone and could have significant consequences on the political landscape. It highlights the divisions and infighting within the opposition, thus weakening its ability to exert political influence vis-à-vis the ruling party. As Senegal prepares for the next presidential elections, scheduled for 2024, it is crucial for the opposition to find common ground and strengthen its unity to constitute a real alternative to the regime in place. Otherwise, it risks becoming more fragmented and losing credibility in the eyes of voters.
The split between Yewwi Askan Wi and Taxawu Senegal also raises questions about the nature of Senegalese politics, where alliances and fractures often seem to be driven by personal interests rather than political beliefs.. This highlights the need to rethink the political system in order to foster coalitions that are more stable and more representative of the aspirations of the population.
In conclusion, the split between the opposition coalition Yewwi Askan Wi and the Taxawu Senegal party marks a turning point in the Senegalese political arena. It reflects divisions and rivalries within the opposition, but also raises broader questions about Senegalese politics as a whole. Faced with the upcoming elections, it is crucial for the opposition to find common ground and strengthen its unity in order to constitute a real alternative to the power in place. Only a united and solid opposition can truly represent the aspirations of the Senegalese people and contribute to a more dynamic and equitable democracy