To retain power, President Macky Sall has defined the criteria for his future replacement. He must certainly know that his decision can cause crises. And Apr officials in Dakar gave him a taste of it yesterday as supporters of Abdoulaye Diouf Sarr and Prime Minister Amadou Ba came to blows in a meeting that was to seal the sacred union around the candidate from Dakar. 

President Macky Sall was justified in saying that organizing primaries, less than 7 months before the Presidential, would only divide the unitary dynamics of the Benno bokk yaakaar (Bby) Coalition. And what happened yesterday at the headquarters of the Alliance for the Republic (Apr) must comfort him in his choice not to go through this route to appoint Bby’s candidate. Indeed, the aperists gathered in their headquarters with a specific communication goal: it was necessary to sell this union to the cameras despite the clash of ambitions. Alas, the opposite happened. Dakar officials wanted to round up the positions in order to have a candidate for Bby’s candidacy. A resolution was even ready and had to be read by the party’s spokesperson, Seydou Guèye. But some officials did not share the content, leading to controversy between them.

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Behind the scenes, things began to degenerate between supporters of PM Amadou Ba and the former Minister of Health, Abdoulaye Diouf Sarr, both suspected of harboring presidential ambitions.

Abdoulaye Diouf Sarr has declared himself a candidate for Bby’s candidacy. The former mayor of Yoff, who could not tip Dakar into the hands of the presidential movement, would have taken the floor to affirm that « it is not normal that Dakar has two candidates for the candidacy of Bby » . He was referring to his candidacy and that of Amadou Ba. He was then corrected by the Prime Minister. Amadou Ba and reminded them that he « is not a candidate », but that he will « comply with the President’s decision ». A precision that was not to the taste of some activists. This ended up providing a desolate spectacle, worthy of a wrestling arena post-fight atmosphere.

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Officials slipped away so as not to associate their image with this scene. But it’s a waste of time. Indeed, the videos where they are seen clearing out from the place have gone viral in record time on social media networks. While some find it offensive, others enjoyed and anticipate the election campaign.

This scene will not please Macky Sall, who is busy looking for his replacement. Indeed, by exposing this division in front of the cameras, officials sent a strong signal. If they are not able to agree on a single choice in Dakar, what about a single candidate for the entire coalition? Macky Sall is not in the right position to make a choice. Regardless of his decision, this scene is likely to repeat itself, and perhaps may even become worse.

By Malick GAYE / mgaye@lequotidien.sn

  • Translation by Ndey T. SOSSEH