by Francesco Migliore –
Paraphrasing Pierre Haski, founder of the information site Rue89 “when a country disappears from current events it doesn’t necessarily mean that everything is fine”.
The French journalist refers to Syria. This focus, however, is dedicated to Senegal, considered by many as a bastion of political stability in West Africa, although the latest events highlight the profound “weakening of democratic institutions and of the personalities who embody it” (1). Since last June, clashes have followed one another with consequent deaths and injuries between the police and the demonstrators.
The spark that ignited the country was the condemnation of opponent Ousmane Sonko (leader of the “Senegalese patriots for work, ethics and fraternity” Pastef party) to two years in prison without parole.
Sonko, acquitted of the rape charges he was accused of, was found guilty of “juvenile corruption”. This expression refers to anyone who offends “morality by inciting, abetting, or facilitating youthful debauchery or corruption.”
With this sentence, which arrived on June 1, Sonko risks being excluded from the 2024 presidential elections. In fact, according to the Senegalese electoral code, a prison sentence of more than three months automatically prohibits Ousmane Sonko from participating in the 2024 presidential elections .
Defined by The world as a rising star in Senegalese politics, Sonko is known for his “anti-system” ideas: getting out of the CFA franc, reducing the state’s debt and lifestyle, favoring national businesses and jobs.
These issues are enjoying success among young Senegalese, especially under 20, who represent half of the Senegalese population and who, as reported by Pangea-risk (an independent security company that provides specialized risk protection and management services): “feel marginalized from the point socio-economically and are increasingly frustrated with a government they say is led by elderly and distant leaders, who have been too slow to soften the economic repercussions of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine on the population”.
It is no coincidence that the protagonists of the riots are precisely the young people who are afraid of being robbed of their freedom to choose a new president in next year’s elections. Indeed, although the president is prevented from running for a third term, a change to the constitution made in 2016 could allow him to run again.
Since 2019, there have been nine successful coups and many more failed. Senegal is the only country in the western part of the continent that has never suffered a coup. However, as is known, central-western Africa has been experiencing major political crises in recent weeks. First the military coup in Niger with the deposition of the democratically elected president Mohamed Bazoum. Then the arrest of several soldiers in Sierra Leone who were planning a coup. Finally the coup in Gabon.
Although each country has its own peculiarities, there seems to be a common denominator between the various insurrections: a growing anti-French sentiment which marks the end of Françafrique, a term by which we mean the set of asymmetrical relations which link France to the its former colonies in West and Central Africa. It is hardly surprising that the protests are accompanied by the burning of French flags on one side, and the waving of Russian ones on the other side.
The failure of the French policy and the wounds to the resurgence of colonialism allow Russia, which has been present for years in Africa through the Wagner group, to act as an alternative to the West. The most striking case is Mali, where Russian mercenaries support the military junta established with the coup of 2022 and have filled the void created by the withdrawal of the French contingent.
Italy and Europe in general must pay close attention to what is happening in Africa and especially in Senegal, a country that seems to be on the verge of explosion.
As is known, Senegal is one of the largest immigration countries in sub-Saharan Africa. With reference to the Italian reality, the Senegalese community represents the largest sub-Saharan African community present, furthermore Italy is its second export market in Europe.
For Rome, solving the migration issue is a priority and it is undisputed that the European border does not start in Libya, Tunisia or Turkey, but much further south. It is easy to understand that once Niger and the Sahel have collapsed, the Italian strategy moves to Senegal. Guaranteeing the political and economic stability of Senegal and naturally of the Sahel is Italy’s primary objective. This is confirmed by the fact that in 2022 alone 9,905,074 euros were used by Italy in Senegal. These interventions take the form of the implementation of projects in the agriculture, security, education and infrastructure sectors.
As Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni argued at the G7 in Hiroshima last May “we need better and more effective collaboration with the Global South”. Ensuring the stability of states is a necessary and preparatory condition for achieving this goal.
Note.
1 – See Giovanni Carbone, Head of the Africa programme, ISPI.
