The Senegalese opposition forces have announced the formation of a new political alliance entitled “Front for the Defense of Democracy and the Republic”, with the aim of confronting the policies of the government led by the “Bastif” party.
The announcement occurred at a press conference in the capital, Dakar, in the presence of important political figures, civil society activists and representatives of social and union movements.
Form the front and its objectives
The new coalition includes more than 70 parties and various political movements, including the “Takho Senegal” party, led by Khalifa Salil, in addition to eminent personalities such as Babiker Nagum Anta.
The coalition also includes the youth forces and the protest movements that oppose the policies of President Passero Diomae Fay.
In its founding declaration, the front expressed its concern concerning the “threat of democratic values and political pluralism” in the country, accusing the regime to the power to undermine public freedoms, to keep the opposition and the arrest of personalities anti-political and media.
The front has stressed that it seeks to “restore democratic balance by organized political and popular movements”, noting that the new alliance is not limited to traditional opposition, but rather includes a wide range of anti-government policies .
Basic forehead requirements
The front has announced a set of requests that it seeks to make in the next stage, most of which is the immediate release of all political and prisoners of opinion, and ending the repression and restrictions on journalists and independent media.
He also called to guarantee public freedoms and the right to demonstrate as guaranteed by the Senegalese Constitution, in addition to examining electoral laws, in particular with regard to the organization of parties and mechanisms to control the elections.
The front highlighted the need to open a complete national dialogue which includes various political forces to discuss the means to overcome the current political crisis.
The political context of the Foundation
The formation of the front comes in the light of the escalation of political tensions in Senegal, in particular after the recent presidential and legislative elections which have changed the political scene.
President Passeo won the elections with the support of the “Bastiv” party, among the opposition criticism, which considered that the electoral process witnessed violations and violations which led to the marginalization of certain political forces.
The current Senegalese Parliament is under the control of the “Bastiv” party, which raised the concerns of the opposition concerning the absence of a democratic balance within government institutions, which prompted the opposition parties to unify their ranks to confront what he considers authoritarian policies.
Government reactions
There was no official response from the Senegalese government on the creation of the new front, but observers expect the authority to contain this movement either by dialogue or by legal measures aimed at reducing the ‘Influence of the new alliance.
Political analysts believe that the front can constitute an influential force in the next political scene, especially if it succeeds in mobilizing the masses and transforming its requests towards real pressure on power, whether by popular manifestations or by means legal and political.
The future of the front and its potential impact
Observers believe that the success of the front in achieving its objectives depends on its ability to maintain its unity, especially since the Senegalese opposition has historically suffered from internal divisions which have weakened its influence.
The influence of the front also depends on the interaction of the Senegalese street.