The Pythias, Selbé Ndom’s sisters and sisters-in-law, never saw it coming. The bomb fell on them at around 8.25pm, taking everyone by surprise. Macky Sall had just taken the wind out of the sails of many a political savant. All those who had predicted that he would « certainly be up for a 3rd term » were thrown into disarray by the outgoing head of state’s announcement that he would not stand for a second five-year term.

Very few in his entourage were aware of this. Among the lucky few was his Prime Minister, Amadou Ba. The head of government, along with a very small circle of loyal followers, were informed on Thursday 15 June that Macky Sall would not be running. Just before he boarded his plane for a trip that was to take him on a mission of good offices to Ukraine and Russia, before an official visit to Portugal.

It cannot be said that alternative candidates were put forward during these discussions. But we do know that at one point Amadou Ba’s candidacy to lead the majority banner was outlined. The coming days will shed light on its viability.

One Happy Precedent for the Two Presidential Mandates Rule

However, it is clear that, even if he does step down, Macky Sall remains the guiding light for his coalition. Without an iron fist, it is not certain that we will not very quickly see a flowering of candidacies within the Bby Coalition. Already, within allied parties such as the AFP and the PS, dissident voices have not waited to express their desire to break away. If he wants his legacy to survive, Macky Sall will have to impose a single candidate on his coalition.

In any case, his supporters would be ill-advised to want to do without him. Unlike François Hollande at the end of his term, or an American leader who has served two terms, Macky Sall is not a « lame duck ». On the contrary, his exit through the main door has given him a new and even more imposing stature, both with his allies and nationally. Everyone is now aware that every opinion he formulates will carry the weight of his renewed legitimacy.

What’s more, President Sall has just nipped in the bud off a number of opponents’ careers. Those whose only campaign slogan was respect for the Constitution and keeping one’s word, those who had banded together just to prevent him from declaring a candidacy that he never said he was considering, all these people must have had a hard night’s sleep yesterday. If they want to have a place in the political arena, they will have to find a new bone to gnaw very quickly…

By Mouhamed GUEYE / mgueye@lequotidien.sn

  • Translation by Ndey T. SOSSEH