The African proverb “when two elephants fight, it’s the grass that suffers” has taken on a new resonance in Sénégal today. The once-united leadership of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko now finds itself locked in a power struggle that threatens to overshadow the very reforms that brought them to power.
From political alliance to institutional strain
Just two years ago, Sénégal stood as a beacon of democratic renewal in West Africa. The presidential victory of Bassirou Diomaye Faye—made possible by Ousmane Sonko’s strategic withdrawal and endorsement—marked a historic moment. Sonko, barred from running due to legal challenges, chose to invest his political capital behind Faye rather than pursue confrontation, transforming an obscure candidacy into a landslide victory.
Yet today, the relationship between the two leaders has soured. Analysts Chukwuemeka Eze and Malick Fall argue that what appears to be a personal feud is actually a litmus test for Sénégal’s democratic transition. The fracture stems not from ideological differences, but from divergent approaches to managing a mounting debt crisis—one that far exceeds initial projections. While Sonko advocates for economic sovereignty and outright debt restructuring, Faye seeks to reassure investors and development partners by avoiding formal restructuring, as recently reaffirmed by the Minister of Economy and Finance.
Institutional reforms and the erosion of public trust
The irony is palpable: a movement that rose to power promising to strengthen democratic institutions now finds itself at odds over the very reforms it championed. Proposals to revise the constitution—meant to rebalance power between the executive and legislature—have become a flashpoint. Supporters frame them as a fulfillment of the Pastef movement’s historic agenda, while critics question their timing and implementation. For Eze and Fall, the lesson is clear: a constitutional reform’s success hinges as much on political trust as on legal precision. Democracy, they emphasize, depends equally on constitutional behavior and institutional architecture.
The real cost of political infighting
The authors warn that every day spent navigating internal tensions is a day lost addressing the urgent needs of Sénégal’s citizens. The priorities are familiar: job creation for a burgeoning youth population, controlling the cost of living, and improving schools and hospitals. Yet, as the leadership remains consumed by its rivalry, the clock ticks on the promises that once inspired millions to vote for change. Unlike other crises in the region—marked by coups or violent unrest—Sénégal’s democratic resilience endures. The judiciary functions, parliament remains active, and political disagreements are, for now, confined within constitutional boundaries.
In the end, the question for ordinary Sénégalais is not who wins the power struggle, but whether their leaders can move beyond it to deliver on the transformation they were elected to provide.
