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This Wednesday, Senegal recalled the June 23, 2011 movement. This popular protest movement that had led then-President Abdoulaye Wade to abandon its constitutional reform project. It is a crucial moment in the country’s political history. This anniversary is celebrated in the division with two separate events in Dakar.
as reported from Dakar, Charlotte idrac
Two gatherings, two atmospheres. In particular, an “official” event was organized in the Place de la Nation by the presidential movement. In front of the platform, panels with the image of Macky Sallet by local political leaders. Mbaye Ndiaye, a member of the Presidential Party, discusses the opposition’s concerns about a third term for Macky Sall: “The president is not thinking during the third term because he is working.”
Several ministers are present, such as the actors of the time who very well remember the mobilization on 23 June 2011, in front of the gates of the National Assembly. Ten years after this popular revolt, those who call themselves “M23 heirs” assure that “the spirit of the movement is intact”, that “Senegalese democracy” has been consolidated. Abdou Karim Sall, Minister of the Environment, puts the division in perspective. celebration: “The demonstrations in scattered order are not a problem. The real patriots are the ones who fought to say no to manipulating the constitution. ”
A few kilometers further, another demonstration, this time organized by M2D, the movement for democracy defense born in March in the wake of the legal proceedings against Ousmane Sonko. Lots of people in the popular HLM Grand Yoff district.
Among them, activists from the opponent’s party, members of the organization Frapp / France, tangled out or Y’en A marrequi, them, believe that the spirit of the June 23 movement has been “misled”, that Senegalese democracy is in danger. Their slogan is none for Macky Sall’s third candidacy in 2024. If he does, one protester assures, “we will be on the streets, even more than in 2011”.
Flag in hand, Muhammadou Moustapha Mbodj did not hesitate to participate in the M2D rally. He had demonstrated in front of the assembly on June 23, 2011. Ten years later, “Senegal’s democracy has ‘gone back,'” he said. Half of the people who demonstrated in 2011 are with the current president. But nothing has changed. It’s worse now. “
The two camps accuse each other of “political recovery” of the M23. The human rights defender Aljoner Tine, at the head of the protest 10 years ago, preferred not to take part in any demonstration.
►Read also: In Senegal, ten years later, the disputed legacy of the M23 movement
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