Senegal: Triumph Of Democracy

On Sunday, March 25, 2012, out-going President of Senegal, Abdoulaye Wade conceded defeat in the country’s Presidential Run-off election to his former deputy Macky Sall.

President Wade, who was contesting for a third term  failed to win a majority vote during the initial election held on February 26, 2012. While Wade received 32 per cent of the votes cast, Sall scored 25 per cent and the other 12 candidates shared the remaining 43 per cent among themselves.

Wade, or any of the contestants needed 50 per cent of the votes and above to secure outright victory in the  election. But with the results of the run-off in favour of Macky Sall, Wade had no problem accepting the wishes of the electorate to bring to an end one of Africa’s trusted leadership.

We commend the apparent democratic attitude of the president as his timely decision ensured that Senegal avoided the usual violence, chaos and carnage, that characterise election disagreements in Africa.

Wade deserves yet some honour because he chose the path of peace despite the enormous executive powers, force and influence at his disposal as President.  Usually, some African leaders would want to make the issue of election a do or die affair with its attendant crises.

It is also pertinent to commend the way and manner the Senegalese electoral body handled the exercise. The body’s courage and fairness in ensuring that the wishes  of the average Senegalese counted and reflected the true wishes of the people was great.

This is nothing short of a true  triumph of democracy for Senegal and indeed, the African Continent, which used to be bedevilled with political brigandage often set off by electoral maneuverings by  incumbents.

However, it is worthy to note that the real victory is for the people of Senegal who refused to be cowed by a sit-tight ruler. It is to their credit that they regrouped and spoke with a strong voice in the run-off election that forced the President to eat the humble pie.

Interestingly, President Wade had tried to use underhand means to perpetuate himself in office against the popular constitution that stipulated a two term tenure for  president.  It is regrettable that the President refused to step aside when the ovation was loudest.  He actually used his office to re-engineer the constitution to legitimise his third term ambition.

At age 85,  President Wade ought to know that it was time to bow out and perhaps, serve his country as an elder statesman. But the honour and life-time praise he would have earned has been burnt on the altar of ambition.

Moreover, an 85 year old leader and indeed others in the twilight of their life certainly have their best days in the past. If such a person expects to carry on with public service, the best bet is to mentor young leaders and earn their adoration.

We, however, believe that this turn of event in Senegal presents ample example, and lesson to other African countries on how opposition politicians can  work together to achieve a common national  goal  peacefully.

Despite the apparent influence and reach of President Wade, the opposition (13 candidates) were able to unite and convince the majority of  the 5.3 million voters that took part in the election to stand in solidarity with Sall to oust his former boss.

We expect that  African leaders would invest in human capital development, especially, the youths in order to equip the younger generation with astute leadership qualities that will make them readily available for easy succession, instead of desiring to die in office.

This is because no single man is greater than a country or has the sole magic needed to lead and transform a nation. The Wade acceptance though commendable, the  situation is a timely reminder of what politics and democracy should not be in Africa again.

The earlier African leaders learn to bow to the wishes of the people, the best for Africa and the development of democratic principles and the fertile environment for  the expression of their best potientials .