Jonathan Sandy, the Chairperson of the Regional Centre for Governance and Security Policy Initiative (RCGSP), recently praised the outcome of the presidential election in Senegal, won by Bassirou Faye. Sandy, who is part of a consortium of civil society organizations working on the Regional Citizens Dialogue Programme in West Africa, highlighted the success of the election as a positive example in the region.
In a statement released on Monday, Sandy emphasized the importance of upholding shared values and principles, as outlined in the ECOWAS supplementary protocol on democracy and good governance. He commended the Senegalese state institutions, including the Constitutional court, the national electoral commission (CENI), and the security sector institutions, for their efforts in ensuring a free, fair, transparent, and accountable electoral process.
Sandy also pointed out the exemplary role played by civil society organizations and the media in promoting a non-partisan approach to the election. He underscored the need for incumbent political leaders in the ECOWAS region to learn from the Senegalese example and recognize that democratic governance is essential for the prosperity of all citizens.
Furthermore, Sandy warned against attempts to manipulate national constitutions, tamper with electoral laws, or use identity politics to capture state institutions, as these actions could lead to Unconstitutional Changes of Government (UCGs), such as military coups. He stressed the importance of strong and independent institutions in ensuring that electoral democracy functions effectively for all citizens.
In conclusion, Sandy congratulated the people and leaders of Senegal for upholding the integrity of the electoral process and safeguarding the shared vision of sustaining electoral democracy based on the rule of law. The success of the presidential election in Senegal serves as a proud moment for the citizens of ECOWAS and sets a positive example for the region.
