Will Khalifa Sall, who was expelled from the PS for not wanting to ally himself with the ruling party, among other reasons, comply with the will of the mayor of Ziguinchor whose participation in 2024 is seriously compromised? Will Ousmane Sonko, and his Pastef party, who have no other choice but a confrontation in the street with power, bend to the will of Khalifa Sall and his Taxawu Senegaal movement? This is the issue between the two largest formations of the Coalition Yewwi askan wi (Yaw).  President Macky Sall’s dialogue has already exposing their differences.

The Yewwi askan wi (Yaw) Coalition has opposed the dialogue initiated by the President of the Republic with a categoric refusal.

Despite the inclinations of some members to participate, the Conference of Yewwi Leaders felt the need to recall its opposition with a press release. A document that the Taxawu Senegaal movement obviously did not appreciate.

The movement led by Khalifa Sall responded tit for tat by reaffirming its intention to respond to the invitation of the Head of State.

A situation that reflects the latent tension between the two largest political parties in the coalition. Indeed, the Pastef party and the Taxawu Senegaal movement no longer have the same relationship as was the case when the coalition was created. In fact, Ousmane Sonko, who imposed an amnesty for Karim and Khalifa in Yewwi’s legislative program, does not wish to participate in the dialogue when « his supporters are political detainees, the inventory of previous dialogues does not have not been made and that Macky has not publicly declared to renounce the Presidential of 2024 ».  Only, his categorical refusal was preceded by the desire of Khalifa Sall to join the dialogue table which the « Patriots » consider as « treason ». It took a threatening outing to calm the members of the Pastef party. The declaration of Barthélemy Dias on his negotiations for discussions between the Head of State and the opposition disapproved by the leader of the Pastef party, Ousmane Sonko, the controversy that followed, as well as the boos against the former mayor of Dakar by members of the Pastef party at the F24 rally on Friday 12 May. These have, above all, greatly contributed to widening the fissure. The final act, which will seal the break between the two political entities, will be the launch of the dialogue at the Palace of the Republic, next Tuesday.

Differences exasperated by Yaw’s latest press release. Although opening a door to any formation wishing to dialogue, the document reaffirms the position of the coalition. A diversity of opinions that hides the conflicting climate that reigns within the coalition. Indeed, Khalifa Sall, who turned against the Socialist Party (Ps) for his personal ambitions, is not in a follower logic. Even if in appearance, Yaw sells the image of a group of united political parties and movements, its implosion could be recorded during this dialogue. Khalifa Sall, who was expelled from the Ps because he did not want to ally himself with the ruling party, the Apr, within Benno bokk yaakaar (Bby), will he comply with the will of the mayor of Ziguinchor whose participation in the 2024 presidential election is seriously compromised? Will Ousmane Sonko, who has no other choice but a confrontation in the street with power, bend to the will of Khalifa Sall? This is the problem that threatens to kill Yaw as a coalition. Ambitions diverge, interests are conflicting and the time separating the leaders from the 2024 electoral deadline is ticking away. Khalifa Sall and Ousmane Sonko have more in common than their differences. But in politics, the truth of today is never that of tomorrow. Also, never say never!

By Malick GAYE  / mgaye@lequotidien.sn

  • Translation by Ndey T. SOSSEH