Le Pastef est sûr de gagner la présidentielle au Sénégal, "même si notre candidat est en prison"

Summary

Biram Souid Diob, vice president of Ousman Sonko's Pastef party, discusses upcoming Senegalese presidential elections. With opposition candidates Sonko and Karim disqualified, Diob claims the election will not be fair or inclusive. He alleges the government targeted Sonko to prevent his candidacy. Diob supports investigating claims of corruption against Constitutional Council magistrates. If imprisoned candidate Bass remains jailed, Pastef will still campaign for him. Diob is confident of victory despite President Macky Sall's machine. He suggests reevaluating the CFA franc currency.

Takeaways

• 😊 The interview discusses Senegalese politics and the upcoming presidential election on February 25th, 2024
• 😞 Ousmane Sonko, a major opposition figure, was disqualified as a candidate by the Constitutional Council
• 🤔 The opposition claims state institutions targeted Sonko to prevent him from running
• 👨‍⚖️ The opposition supports investigating Constitutional Council judges for alleged corruption
• 🤝 The opposition coalition will continue campaigning, with Biram Souleye Dione as their candidate
• 🔒 Dione is currently in prison pending trial but the opposition is confident they can still win
• 😠 The opposition accuses the government of unfairly jailing and disqualifying opponents
• 🗳️ Both the opposition and the prime minister say they are sure of winning the election
• 💰 The opposition wants to reconsider the use of the West African CFA franc currency
• 🇸🇳 The election will be an important test for Senegalese democracy and sovereignty

Q & A

Why was Ousmane Sonko disqualified as a presidential candidate?

Sonko was disqualified due to procedural issues with his application, which the state allegedly sabotaged to prevent him from running. The transcript mentions multiplied legal procedures, accusations, and a ruling that his application was incomplete.

What kind of investigation does the PDS party want to initiate?

The PDS party wants to investigate allegations of corruption against magistrates on the Constitutional Council, who disqualified Karim Wade and Ousmane Sonko as candidates.

Is Biram Souleye Djob still an active presidential candidate?

Yes, Biram Souleye Djob is still an eligible presidential candidate despite being in prison awaiting trial.

How does the PASTEF party plan to campaign if Biram Souleye Djob remains in prison?

The vice president says they will campaign for Djob even if he is in prison, focusing on their political program and proposed reforms rather than individuals.

Why does the vice president think they can win the election?

He believes their electoral machine is ready, they have majority support based on intentions polling around 71%, and the additional politicians who have joined their coalition.

How did Macky Sall's retirement affect PASTEF's strategy?

It shifted their focus from protesting against a third term to preparing to defeat Sall at the polls and expose weaknesses in how he runs the country.

What accusations has Macky Sall made against Ousmane Sonko?

Links to terrorist groups and corruption of youths, but the vice president says these accusations are unsupported and blames the failed sexual assault case.

Would PASTEF consider leaving the CFA franc?

The vice president says currency sovereignty is important and they would reconsider Senegal's participation in the CFA franc monetary system.

Why was Ousmane Sonko barred for a defamation conviction?

The vice president sees this minor conviction as an excuse, when major government corruption cases are ignored and candidates keep running.

Who does the vice president see as PASTEF's real opponent?

He says in a presidential election, the real opponent is the Senegalese people and their desire for change, not the Prime Minister.