The decision by President Macky Sall of Senegal to postpone the country’s presidential elections has sent shockwaves across West Africa, raising concerns about the stability of democratic institutions in the region. This move, deemed unconstitutional, has plunged Senegal into a constitutional crisis with far-reaching implications for the entire sub-region.
According to Dr. Helena Catherine Kelly from the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, President Sall’s decision not only tests Senegal’s institutions but also challenges the balance of powers between them. Moreover, this action has broader implications, as it reflects a trend of flouting democratic principles and manipulating constitutions by political elites in West Africa, from Nigeria to Gambia, Ivory Coast to Senegal.
Two key issues are at play. Firstly, the disregard for democratic tenets by civilian leaders contributes to the resurgence of military coups in the region. Secondly, civilian-led unconstitutional changes of government are harder to detect and condemn, perpetuating their rule at the expense of democracy and the rule of law.
The erosion of democratic norms and governance standards in the region is a cause for concern. This trend has led to the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from ECOWAS, threatening the future of democracy in West Africa.
Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, at a retreat organized by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), emphasized the danger of unconstitutional changes in governance. Dr. Kevin Casas-Zamora, Secretary-General of International IDEA, stressed the importance of inclusive governance to prevent violent challenges from those feeling excluded.
As Al Jazeera English warns, the withdrawal of these countries from ECOWAS could lead to a fragmented geopolitical system, with authoritarian military leaders pitted against largely authoritarian civilian governments. The battle lines of authoritarianism have been drawn, posing a high stake for the future of democracy in the region.
The coming days and months will be crucial in determining whether West Africa can overcome this existential threat to its democratic ideals or descend further into chaos and instability.
