The resumption of the Walfadjri television signal is part of a general reconciliation plan prepared by Macky Sall. On Wednesday, the government will present a draft amnesty covering the riots of 2021 and 2023. The aim is to pave the way for the dialogue sought by the President. 

The resumption of Walf Tv’s signal is intended to be the first sign that President Macky Sall wants to ease the social and political situation. The Head of State would like to convince as many people as possible to come to the dialogue he has called for, with the idea of breaking the political deadlock in which the country finds itself, and which is leading to deadly clashes pitting the Defence and Security Forces (Fds) against citizens in several parts of the country, particularly the major conurbations.

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As proof of his good faith, the Head of State has asked the government to prepare an amnesty bill for the events that led to the riots of March 2021 and June 2023. This will undoubtedly provide an opportunity for the many people detained in the country’s prisons to regain their freedom.

On this point, Le Quotidien has learnt that the Head of State presented the idea to the Council of Ministers on Wednesday 7 February. However, several ministers needed further clarification, which led to the postponement of the project to take the time to explain the reasons for it to all those involved. However, this was reflected to some extent in the communiqué from this latest Council of Ministers, which states the following: « The President of the Republic has particularly reiterated his determination to pursue dialogue with all the political players and the driving forces of the Nation, with a view to strengthening our democracy through a transparent, free and inclusive electoral process, as well as the credibility of our institutions. In this context, the Head of State has decided to find ways and means of implementing a pragmatic process of appeasement and reconciliation to preserve peace and consolidate the stability of the Nation. With this in mind, the President of the Republic, who is the guarantor of national unity and the proper functioning of the institutions, has asked the government, and in particular the Minister of Justice, to take the necessary steps to put into practice his desire to bring peace to the public arena in the run-up to the national dialogue and the forthcoming presidential election.

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The idea behind this text is, as stated above, to show « a spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation », to overcome the current divisions, in order to resume the electoral process as quickly as possible.

The Head of State must have thought that the explanations given to the various parties have undoubtedly removed the obstacles linked to the understanding of certain members of the Council of Ministers, and that the next bill can therefore be presented on Wednesday 14 February for adoption before being sent to the deputies.

By Mohamed GUEYE / mgueye@lequotidien.sn

  • Translation by Ndey T. SOSSEH