Infrastructure, high cost of living, Niayes: The PDS lists the real emergencies that must replace partisan politics

As the debate over the date of the next elections begins to take hold in the Senegalese political arena, the Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS) is taking a cautious approach. For Ousmane Goudiaby, president of the Federation of Liberal Executives, Senegal must first and foremost respect the law and avoid turning political life into a permanent election campaign. When asked about the possibility of the President of the Republic setting the date for the next elections soon, the liberal leader believes that the issue is not currently a priority. " We are law-abiding citizens, we are republicans ," he reiterated, emphasizing that the PDS is committed to respecting the electoral calendar.

According to him, as long as the head of state is still within the timeframe stipulated by law, there is no need to rush the process. " If we had one piece of advice to give the president, it would be to respect the electoral calendar, not to disrupt it ," explains Ousmane Goudiaby. This position also reflects, in his view, a desire to break with a logic of constant political mobilization. The PDS leader believes that Senegal has been living for several years in a cycle dominated by campaigns, mobilizations, and electoral issues, to the detriment of citizens' daily concerns. " Since 2021, we've been in this situation. We want to get out of it ," he maintains.

For him, political leaders should focus more on the difficulties facing the population: declining purchasing power, the high cost of living, rising fuel prices, as well as environmental problems and infrastructure issues. He specifically cites the pollution affecting the Niayes region and the poor condition of several roads in Casamance. These are all issues that, according to him, should be the focus of public authorities and the political class rather than the premature opening of a new electoral cycle. The president of the Federation of Liberal Executives thus calls for prioritizing action and results. " As long as it's within the timeframe, it's not a truly urgent issue that should consume our energy ," he believes.

This position aligns with the stance taken by the PDS since its support for Bassirou Diomaye Faye's presidential candidacy. Ousmane Goudiaby reiterates that this support stemmed from a republican approach, in which the interests of Senegal had to take precedence over political or personal differences. The liberal leader also affirms that communication channels between the PDS and the President of the Republic remain open. This close relationship, he believes, should allow the party to voice its advice and observations when the management of the state raises questions.

On the electoral issue, the PDS intends to maintain a course of action based on legality and institutional stability: no haste, no disruption of the schedule, but strict adherence to the deadlines stipulated by law. For Ousmane Goudiaby, the real urgency lies elsewhere: " We must focus on achievements that could allow Senegal to improve the quality of life. "