Habib Sy, if he is a candidate for the Presidential election next February, will in no way aim to improve the living conditions of the Senegalese. His representative admitted that his candidacy is a political strategy. He will only be there to serve the interests of Ousmane Sonko whose deputies made it possible to validate his sponsorship. And on whose behalf he could withdraw if necessary.

“Our candidate is Ousmane Sonko, if he passes the sponsorships, Habib Sy will withdraw!” It’s a statement rarely heard in politics, one made candidly. Ibrahima Diakhité, Habib Sy’s representative, recognized that improving the living conditions of the Senegalese is the least of their concerns. His candidate is not seeking the vote of the Senegalese, although he submitted his files to the Constitutional Council which validated them. Without declaring it, Ibrahima Diakhité implicitly recognizes that his candidate is the stooge of the “Patriots”.

Address to his Compatriots: Karim Denounces his Forced Exile

Indeed, Habib Sy, who left the Senegalese Democratic Party by refusing to put himself behind Karim Wade, accepts for Sonko what he had refused Wade in 2017. He lined up behind the mayor of Ziguinchor. After the 2017 legislative elections, he used his absence from the Pds list as a pretext to slam the door of Wade’s party.

Benefiting from the sponsorship of the “Patriots” parliamentarians, the former minister and former mayor of Linguère is ultimately just a stooge. But this status does not seem to bother him. Yesterday, he passed the sponsorship verification stage. By opting for the signature of the deputies, he had no difficulty in taking the step. It should be remembered that Habib Sy had sponsored Bassirou Diomaye Faye.

However, this announcement raises questions about its purpose. Knowing that it is with taxpayers’ money that the election is financed, any candidacy should normally be motivated by improving the living conditions of the Senegalese. Isn’t Habib Sy, who knows how the State works having been Minister of the Republic, showing his disrespect for the People who gave him everything? How can an individual use taxpayer money for strictly personal purposes? How will Habib Sy tomorrow be able to claim to defend the interests of the Senegalese? Or, elected President, will he go at any time to take his instructions from the person who would have made him king, namely Ousmane Sonko?

By Malick GAYE / mgaye@lequotidien.sn

  • Translation by Ndey T. SOSSEH