Challenges of the New Senegalese Government and Implications for Peace and Security
On March 25, a generational shift marked the political landscape of Senegal with the stunning democratic victory of Bassirou Diomaye Faye, the newly elected President of the 17 million Republic. The transition overcame the long-lasting regional insecurity and brutality of the incumbent Macky Sall government where fragmented identities and socio-political conflicts are a hue. Notwithstanding its stability and democratic principles, Senegal faces a range of challenges including crises related to peacebuilding, rehabilitation of the displaced, and structural violence stemming from the high rates of youth unemployment.
With the continuous political unrest and socioeconomic divides, critics particularly questioned Fase’s capacity to uphold peace and stability in the region. The tasks in front of the new regime are to tackle the volatile ethnic conflicts, discontent stems from sporadic political instabilities as well as indirect structural violence buffeted by poverty, and youth unemployment. World Bank in its recent report identified poverty and inequality as significant development bottlenecks with 9.2% of its population living on less than $2.15 a day, affecting young children’s nutrition, health, and education. Despite economic growth, inclusive development remains a dangerous predicament that indirectly affects the peace and security of the nation in the long run.
In his first public statements of his election victory speech, Faye set out his priorities by lowering the cost of living, fighting corruption, maintaining transparency, and ensuring national reconciliation. Whereas, National reconciliation demands accountability, judicial transparency, transitional justice, and trust-building among the conflicting parties serves as the challenging task ahead. The previous government, led by Macky Saley, introduced an amnesty law, allowing impunity for serious crimes committed between February 1, 2021, and February 25, 2024, but the new government must hold those responsible accountable (Human Rights Watch). Since March 2021, violent conflicts have claimed the lives of at least 37 people, with zero delivery of accountability. To disperse demonstrators in March 2021 and June 2023, Senegalese security forces used disproportionate force, including live fire and improper use of tear gas, as Human Rights Watch has documented.
Similarly, in the recent political turmoil, the UN calls for swift, impartial inquiries into homicides and the right to a fair trial for anyone detained during demonstrations. It demands observance of the freedoms of speech, association, and peaceful assembly as well as human rights. Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, advocated for a wide-ranging national conversation in which the opposition, women, youth, and marginalized groups should all actively participate. The task facing the incoming government is holding criminals accountable to serve justice to the victims. The amnesty that strengthens impunity by relieving government and security force officials of accountability for grave human rights breaches is incompatible with Senegal’s obligations both domestically and internationally.
Additionally, over 20,000 people were displaced in the recent years of the Casamance conflict due to internal fighting, eviction, and land mines. (Human Rights Report). Prone to the high risk of insecurity, many lacked proper documentation demanding to reinforce the protection systems in place to reinforce robust safeguards for vulnerable populations, such as children and asylum seekers. Strategies including early childhood interventions, expanding services, and improving governance and social protection systems should be implemented at a war pace. Adopting an inclusive governance approach for democratic credibility that places a high priority on regional trust-building mechanisms, comprehensive immigration reform, and addressing the root causes of displacement were imperative to bring sustainable peace and security to the region.
