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In Senegal, a neighboring country of Mali, Internet users express themselves on the Malian situation. Mali finds itself sanctioned by ECOWAS in response to the delay in holding elections. And the comments do not spare France.
From our correspondent in Dakar,
Many comments from Senegalese Internet users highlight the closeness between the two countries, between the two peoples. ” it’s the same blood, the same heart “, can we read on the networks, “ Strength to the brotherly people of Mali “. One #JesoutiensleMali was launched the day following the sanctions.“ It is the fight of the entire African people “, writes a user
What has come up widely in the reactions on Twitter or Facebook in recent weeks are criticisms of the severity of these sanctions described as ” unjust », d’ «illegitimate», d’ «inhuman», Critics of ECOWAS, accused of being « a union of heads of state “, to be ” disconnected from the popular will ».
Comments that also target France
« ECOWAS is remotely controlled by Emmanuel Macron », Believes to know for example Ousmane Diop on Facebook. Another Internet user is convinced of this: it is ” Paris (who) is behind these sanctions “, Senegalese President Macky Sall is also targeted by critics, accused of having ” betrayed » the Malian neighbor
Senegalese Internet users also emphasize the economic consequences of this situation. Mali is Senegal’s leading customer, the country largely depends on the port of Dakar for its imports. ” By participating in the attempt to isolate Mali, Macky Sall is putting Senegal’s economy in difficulty “, can we read on Twitter.
Françafrique# Cedeao# Senegal# Mali# for agreeing to please its leader Macron, by participating in the attempt to isolate Mali, Macky Sall is putting the economy of Senegal in difficulty. And for good reason, the closing of the border already wreaking havoc in Senegal# pic.twitter.com/DVOpmfiPhM
– David Zang Mengue (@DavidZangMengu5) January 15, 2022
« Economically, Senegal is the big loser in this embargo », Estimates a surfer, Khadim Sarr or even « Senegal remains the turkey of the farce (…)».
#FreeSenegal Senegal plays the game of closing the border with Mali and remains the turkey of the farce at a time when Côte d’Ivoire leaves part of its border with Mali open. As a result, Senegal will soon lose nearly 1,000 trucks a day to Mali.
– Hamid (@HamidTidjnjaay) January 15, 2022
Senegalese pride
On the other hand, Internet users who relayed “ a popular uprising in Senegal once morest the sanctions, that was a fake news. The message, which circulated widely on the networks around January 18, stated: “the streets are cut off in Dakar and on the road leading to the Malian border by demonstrators demanding the lifting of sanctions “. There were no blocked streets in Dakar, there was indeed a demonstration in support of Mali last Friday, but a mobilization of some 300 people, which took place peacefully.
On the political level, more nuanced Internet users insist on respect for the constitutional order. Fary Ndao, engineer, very popular on social networks. The day following the sanctions, he wrote in a long post: “to each his Pan-Africanism. I am no longer one of those who, in the name of a quest for legitimate economic and political sovereignty, agree at the same time to sacrifice our meager democratic achievements and to support, without really assuming it, repeated putsches ».
Many comments also underline that Senegal is seen as a ” exception in a troubled West African region, a coup in Senegal? “Never”, writes a user, “ these people are too mature (..), “It’s not compatible” says another, “our problems with the regime, we solve it with a lot of class ».
Moreover, on Sunday January 23, while a coup was underway in Burkina Faso, the Senegalese voted calmly for local elections. ” It’s always good to remember that Senegal has never experienced a coup writes Professor Boubacar Diawara on Twitter, “ Congratulations to the Senegalese people ».
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