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Voting day this Sunday in Senegal. Some 6.6 million voters are called upon to renew the mandates of mayors and departmental councillors. 3149 lists in total, for 557 towns or cities, and 43 departments. This is the first election since the re-election of Macky Sall, the first also since the violent riots of last March. It serves as a test to test the solidity and popularity of the various coalitions and political leaders.
With our correspondent in Dakar, Charlotte Idrac
Addressing these elections “ with serenity and responsibility After a campaign marked by incidents, is the appeal launched on Saturday by the Unitary Framework of Islam in Senegal (CUDIS). The religious representatives, who proposed to the actors a ” charter of nonviolence », emphasize « the flammability of the context ».
Each camp is confident. On the side of the majority, the broad alliance Benno Bokk Yaakaar, which brings together the presidential party the APR, the socialist party or the Rewmi party of Idrissa Seck. On the opposition side, several coalitions, including “Yewwi Askan Wi” around Ousmane Sonko and Khalifa Sall, and “Walu Senegal” around the PDS of former President Abdoulaye Wade.
But personalities from civil society are also trying the adventure, such as Fadel Barro, former leader of the Y’en a Marre movement, for the town hall of Kaolack. The press boss Bougane Guèye Dany, for his part, saw his candidacy invalidated for the city of Dakar, but is seeking the town hall of Mermoz Sacré Cœur, one of the municipalities of the capital.
Dakar, capital battle
Dakar – now controlled by the opposition – is the capital battle: seven candidates are in the running, including the Minister of Health Abdoulaye Diouf Sarr, the current mayor of the commune of Mermoz Sacré Cœur, Barthélémy Dias, supported by the former mayor of the capital Khalifa Sall. Or the outgoing mayor Soham El Wardini, who hopes to keep her chair. Also in the running, Doudou Wade, figure of the PDS and nephew of the former president.
In Saint Louis, Mansour Faye, brother-in-law of President Macky Sall, notably faces another member of the majority, former minister Mary Teuw Niane. In Guédiawaye, in the suburbs of Dakar, the little brother of the head of state, Aliou Sall, is a candidate for re-election.
Another important issue in this election: Ziguinchor, in Casamance, with the candidacy of Ousmane Sonko, considered “opponent number 1”. The opportunity to reinforce – or not – its political ambitions at the national level.
The results will be a first barometer to measure the political balance of power before the legislative elections scheduled for June, and the presidential election of 2024.
All eyes turned towards Ziguinchor
With our special correspondent in Ziguinchor, Thea Olivier
All eyes are on Ziguinchor during these municipal elections… An attraction that can be explained by the symbolism of the city which represents the Casamance region, but above all because “ the main opponent of the regime is a candidate for mayor “, recognizes Benoit Sambou, candidate of the ruling coalition – Benno Bokk Yakaar.
The main opponent is Ousmane Sonko, leader of the Pastef party who came third in the 2019 presidential election, with 52% of the vote in the department of Ziguinchor.
According to Abdou Sané, coordinator of Pastef in the city, this election is a first step before the legislative elections of next June and the presidential election of 2024. Interrelated elections which are indicative of a ” duality between Ousmane Sonko and President Macky Sall ” according to him.
A speech that annoys Taibou Diedhiou, deputy to outgoing mayor Abdoulaye Baldé. He recalls that these are local and territorial elections and not a personal springboard to reach the head of state.