Lettre ouverte à Monsieur le Président de la République, Président en exercice de la CEDEAO (par Sanou Dione)
Subject: Compliance with the ECOWAS Additional Protocol
Mr. President,
In my capacity as a former Member of Parliament of the Republic and in the name of the deep attachment I have to democratic values and the stability of our country, I take the liberty of addressing this letter to respectfully draw your attention to the imperative of strict compliance with the ECOWAS Additional Protocol relating to democracy and good governance, as well as national constitutional and electoral provisions.
The local elections, which must be held no later than January 23, 2027, are a crucial step towards consolidating decentralization, strengthening the legitimacy of local authorities, and enabling citizens, especially young people, to express their political will. Any attempt to postpone these elections risks undermining public trust, exacerbating tensions, and jeopardizing our regional credibility. As Head of State and current Chairman of ECOWAS, your role is decisive in ensuring full compliance with regional commitments and safeguarding the national electoral calendar.
For the record and to respectfully support my request, I would like to remind you of the following provisions:
The ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance: the relevant articles affirm the obligation of Member States to promote and respect democratic principles, including the holding of free, transparent, and inclusive elections, the protection of civil and political rights, and the prevention of any unilateral changes to the electoral calendar that could compromise the legitimacy of democratic processes. These provisions constitute a regional framework that engages the collective responsibility of Member States and the particular vigilance of the current Chairperson of ECOWAS.
Constitution of the Republic of Senegal: the articles devoted to the principles of national sovereignty, the periodic holding of elections and decentralisation (in particular the provisions conferring legitimacy on local authorities through regular elections) establish the constitutional obligation to guarantee electoral deadlines organised in compliance with the law.
Senegalese electoral code: the provisions governing the organization of polls, registration on electoral lists and the competence of administrative authorities in matters of registration illustrate the legal mechanisms available to ensure the inclusion of voters, especially young people, and the publicity of electoral operations.
In light of this legal framework, I respectfully make the following concrete requests and proposals:
To publicly confirm the Government's commitment to maintaining the holding of local elections no later than January 23, 2027 and to refrain from any decision to postpone that would not be based on compelling, explicit reasons in accordance with national law and regional standards;
Ensure the full application of the provisions of the ECOWAS Additional Protocol regarding inclusive elections, respect for public freedoms and separation of roles between civil authorities and security forces;
Order, without delay, the implementation of the necessary operational measures to facilitate the registration of young voters on the electoral roll: targeted information campaigns in high schools, universities and training centers; reasonable and transparent extension of registration deadlines if necessary; deployment of mobile registration units in rural and disadvantaged areas; and simplification of the administrative documents required when these are disproportionate;
Guarantee the neutrality and transparency of the bodies responsible for the electoral register and the organization of registration operations by promoting the presence of independent observers, civil society organizations and ECOWAS delegations;
Establish a public and periodic mechanism to monitor the measures taken for youth registration and election preparation (bi-monthly reports distributed to stakeholders), in order to ensure accountability, visibility and trust with citizens and our regional partners;
Promote an inclusive and preventive political dialogue between national authorities, political parties, civil society and youth organizations, by setting a schedule of public and territorial meetings in the coming weeks.
Mr. President, holding local elections effectively and regularly according to the established schedule is a guarantee of political stability, good governance, and public trust. Ensuring the widespread and orderly registration of young voters will strengthen the representativeness of our institutions and contribute to social peace. Your leadership, both nationally and regionally, can and must play a decisive role in preventing any disruption to the electoral calendar and in ensuring that Senegal remains an exemplary actor in respecting its ECOWAS commitments.
Please accept, Mr. President of the Republic , the expression of my highest consideration.
Sanou Dione
Former Member of Parliament, 9th and 14th Legislatures
Commentaires (14)
Il ne gagnera plus d’élection
Les sénégalais ont compris que c’était de l’arnaque politique
C’est fini gassi abanaa !!!!
Puisque Kiiraay est né le même jour pour devenir le premier parti sénégalais, et le Pastef est décédé le même jour, il faut sauter sur l'occasion de la situation du moment pour le formaliser une bonne fois pour toute. Des élections à ce très bon moment, quand Kiiraay est le premier parti et que Pastef est mort, permettront d'officialiser la situation sur le terrain. Après aucun membre de Pastef n'osera prétendre que son parti n'a pas reculé ou même n'est pas mort.
Regardez les élections c'est permettre aux gens de Pastef de parler, alors qu'on peut leur clouer le bec avec une défaite électorale cuisante.
NB: En attendant Pastef doit saisir la CEDEAO pour violation par Diomaye de ses règles dont le principe de ne rien modifier de ce qui concerne une élection à partir de 6 mois de sa date. Nous sommes dans les 6 mois avant la date des locales, le simple fait de ne rien faire est une modification du processus électoral. Par exemple, on ne fixe pas les cautions des candidats par surprise. L'esprit est de leur donner le temps de les réunir (5 mois). On nous a dit aussi que Diomaye a demandé au CC s'il peut coupler les deux élections (alors qu'il n'y en a qu'une). Or, lors de sa précédente saisine du CC, celui-ci s'est prononcé en 8 jours. Mais cette fois, c'est depuis plus d'un mois, et toujours rien. C'est louche. Diomaye n'est pas encore rassuré même si son Kiiraay est le premier parti du Sénégal à la date d'aujourd'hui. Mais quand un enfant a peur du lion derrière la fenêtre, mieux vaut lui dire qu'il ne peut pas y avoir de lion en ville.
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