The allusion to Khalifa Sall, president of Taxawu Senegaal, in a press release issued yesterday, is clear. Far from drawing conclusions from Sall’s participation in the launch of the national dialogue on 31 May, Yewwi is continuing to prevaricate with yet another warning against the former mayor of Dakar and his movement.

The opposition coalition known as Yewwi askan wi (Yaw) does not want its members to take part in the national dialogue in which the head of State presided over the launch ceremony on Wednesday 31 May. In a press release issued yesterday, this opposition body warned its members against any violation of their charter. This position refers to the Taxawu Senegaal movement led by Khalifa Sall. The former mayor of Dakar and his supporters have decided to take part in this conclave, during which various subjects of national interest will be discussed. But this umpteenth communiqué exposes Yewwi’s procrastination in clearing up what is known within this opposition framework as the « Khalifa Sall case ».

The outburst by Cheikh Tidiane Dièye, coordinator of the Avenir Senegaal bi gnu beugg platform, on Iradio’s Jdd Sunday programme, where he distanced himself from any participation by a member of Yaw in the national dialogue when one of their own – Ousmane Sonko – is being « hunted down and attacked in the way that is the case », should have prompted Yewwi to be consistent with itself on the « Khalifa Sall case ».

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The last meeting of F24 on 12 May at the Place de la Nation, during which members of the Pastef party booed the former mayor of Dakar, marked the beginning of the rift between Khalifa Sall and his allies. Since then, the pieces have not been re-glued.

In its document, this coalition of opposition parties reaffirms « its categorical rejection of this meeting, which is of no interest to Senegal. It informs the public that it is not represented by any organisation or individual at this political farce ».

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For Yewwi askan wi, « this gathering is all the more iniquitous in that it is being held against a backdrop of mourning, arbitrary arrests and the denial of rights and freedoms ».

Referring to the latest violent events in the country following the verdict in the Sweet Beauty case, culminating with the conviction of one of its prominent members, Ousmane Sonko, leader of the Pastef party, Yewwi notes: « The number of deaths following the demonstrations of 1-3 June is not yet known ». In addition, the coalition denounces excessive police repression, with « more than 500 young demonstrators […] still being illegally detained in police and gendarmerie premises and in prisons ».

« The Yewwi askan wi Coalition recalls « the relevant provisions of its fundamental charter, according to which all members must « individually abstain from any political compromise or connivance with the Macky Sall regime ». And that it reserves the right to draw all the consequences against any violator of these provisions ».

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Mr Sall had declared his intention to take part in this major event before it was held. He had also said that he intended to be one of the candidates in the 2024 presidential election. After consulting the Taxawu Senegaal base, the platform led by Khalifa Ababacar Sall finally gave its green light to its leader to be one of the active participants in the national dialogue.

A possible amnesty bill concerning him and the leader of the Pds, Karim Wade, would allow him to take part in the 2024 presidential election, once the sponsorship hurdle has been cleared.

By Mamadou T. DIATTA / mdiatta@lequotidien.sn

  • Translation by Ndey T. SOSSEH