A clash that doesn’t look like one. This is the state of affairs that Yewwi askan wi and Khalifa Sall and his political movement are exposing to public opinion. The reaction of the former mayor of Dakar to the prevarication of his coalition shows Mr Sall’s unwavering determination to consolidate his decision to take part in the dialogue, following its launch on 31 May.

There seems to be a clash between Khalifa Sall’s Taxawu Senegaal movement and the Yewwi askan wi (Yaw) coalition. The platform’s reaction to a communiqué from its allies warning any Yaw member taking part in the national dialogue confirms this state of affairs. The former mayor of Dakar and his supporters yesterday responded to Yaw’s document. Using the same procedure, Taxawu Senegaal « deplores the way in which the communiqué dated 12 June 2023 and signed by the Conference of Yewwi askan wi leaders was published without prior consultation and validation by all the leaders. This communiqué is a clear violation of the principles set out in the coalition’s framework agreement, which makes consensus the basis for decision-making ».

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Khalifa Sall’s movement invokes the « sovereignty » of each party member of Yaw « to take a position on the questions addressed to them », to indicate that the charter of the aforementioned coalition « leaves no room for the diktat of single-mindedness or the abuse of the majority ». This led Khalifa Sall and Co. to argue that the party members of Yaw « have taken a public position on the question of participation in the national dialogue without a prior meeting of the coalition. In the name of this sovereignty and the freedom that goes with it, Taxawu Senegaal has decided to take part in the dialogue and accepts the decision taken by other members not to participate ».

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Reaffirming its « strong » roots in Yaw and the opposition, “Taxawu Senegaal does not deny or concede any of its positions. This position was defended responsibly and firmly by its leader, President Khalifa Ababacar Sall, at the opening ceremony, recalling the opposition’s main demands: the rejection of the third candidacy, the organisation of an inclusive and transparent presidential election, the revision or even abolition of the citizen sponsorship system, and the unconditional release of prisoners of conscience and journalists ».

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« Taxawu Senegaal has chosen to participate, convinced that only direct and inclusive consultations will enable our country to emerge from the current crisis and prevent it from plunging into political and social instability, » said the former capital city mayor and his supporters. « Taxawu Senegaal reminds everyone that, as a founding member of Yewwi askan wi and a major player in all the opposition’s battles since 2016, it will never be called out in default of loyalty (…) », concluded Khalifa Sall and his comrades.

By Mamadou T. DIATTA / mdiatta@lequotidien.sn

  • Translation by Ndey T. SOSSEH