Presidential candidate Thierno Alassane Sall resumes speaking: “The posting of General Souleymane Kandé to India, one of the most respected men in our Republican Army, prompts me to prematurely leave my self-imposed observation period.” Obviously, he assessed that: “No one can deny that the supreme commander of the Armed Forces has the power to assign senior officers, but this discretionary power, unless it claims to be divine, cannot evade republican traditions or disregard merit or consistency in the employment of men. If we are to believe the stir caused by the news of General Kandé’s posting, we are closer to a typical case of banishment of an officer we find inconvenient. On what grounds?” he asked.

For TAS, this is a situation to be questioned: “In fact, recent decisions by the new regime reveal worrying trends in the management of our institutions. Extending to the Defense and Security Forces the cascade of dismissals that affect the senior administration during political changeovers would set a dangerous precedent for our Army, which has until now had a reputation for republicanism. It would give credence to the idea that, within the ranks of our Fds, there are fault lines along supposed allegiances.”

He continues: “Promoting by decree a disbarred gendarmerie officer and banishing in the process a General whose reputation goes far beyond the troops, is an unfortunate precedent, breaking with our country’s traditions. It is my duty as a citizen and as a member of parliament to sound the alarm and call on the President of the Republic not to give in to the temptation of witch-hunting. He is elected to heal the gaping fractures in our country, which are particularly evident in the administration, the justice system and the university. Even without a call for candidates, much better could have been done through a more inclusive approach.”