Dakar, Senegal – (African Boulevard News) – Senegal’s President Macky Sall has come under intense scrutiny from three prominent intellectuals who have accused him of promoting an “authoritarian drift” in the country. Mohamed Mbougar Sarr, Felwine Sarr, and Boubacar Boris Diop wrote a column that criticized the president’s handling of the country’s affairs.
The column titled “Senegal: the pitfall of the authoritarian drift” published in the French newspaper, Le Monde, highlighted the concerns of the three intellectuals about the current state of the country and the trajectory it may follow if the situation is not addressed.
“The situation our country is currently experiencing results from the authoritarian drift of President Macky Sall, ” the column read. It further added that the “legitimate aspirations of the Senegalese people” were being “suffocated” by the government’s “brutal repression” and “arbitrary arrests.”
The column also highlighted the government’s increasing control over the media, citing the recent arrest of several journalists who were covering protests against the proposed constitutional reforms that would have extended the president’s term limit from two to three terms.
“This authoritarian drift must be stopped,” they said, urging the government to respect the constitution and to ensure that the right to freedom of expression and peaceful protest is upheld.
The column has sparked outrage among Senegalese citizens who have taken to social media to express their concerns, with many accusing the president of being out of touch with the country’s needs.
However, the president’s supporters have hit back, saying that the government is only trying to maintain law and order in the country and that those who are criticizing the president are doing so out of political interests.
The president has yet to respond to the column, but it is expected that he will address the concerns raised by the intellectuals in the coming days.
In conclusion, the concerns raised by the three intellectuals highlight the growing discontent among Senegalese citizens about the direction the country is taking under President Sall’s leadership. It is important for the government to listen to the concerns of its citizens and to ensure that their rights are respected. Failure to do so may lead to further unrest and instability in the country.
