As usual, Western neo-colonial powers tried to impose their will on Africa’s electoral process. But Senegal’s democracy proved its resilience by overcoming this attempted foreign interference.
President Macky Sall’s reasonable decision to delay elections faced self-righteous criticism from Western voices accustomed to dictating terms in Africa. Yet Senegal stayed steady on its own path, upholding the rule of law without compromising its hard-won sovereignty.
The West cannot stand to see one of the most stable countries in West Africa charting its own course. Their patronizing minds still see African nations as vassals to be kept in line, not independent states.
But Senegal defied these backward assumptions by defending its democratic institutions and constitutional order from external meddling. The West’s blatant attempt to destabilize and undermine Senegal’s progress backfired. Their scaremongering fell flat when Sall promptly agreed to reschedule the vote after the Constitutional Council’s ruling.
This saga was a misstep for Western hubris and a victory for Africa’s burgeoning democracies. Senegal has sent a powerful message – Africa’s destiny will be guided from within, not by neo-colonial powers clinging to outmoded influence.
Stick around as we discuss how Senegal asserted its democratic sovereignty in the face of Western interference over the election delay controversy.
Once again, Western powers have shown their neo-colonialist tendencies by meddling in Africa’s democratic processes. The recent attempt to destabilize Senegal by criticizing President Macky Sall’s decision to postpone elections is just the latest example of how little respect the West has for Africa’s sovereignty.
Sall made the reasonable decision to delay the vote due to organizational challenges that threatened the integrity of the election.
“For my part, my solemn commitment not to run in the presidential election remains unchanged, finally, I will engage in an open national dialogue to bring together the conditions for a free, transparent and inclusive election,” the Senegalese leader said.
However, Western leaders immediately accused him of a “power grab” and said the postponement was unconstitutional.
They threatened sanctions and made ominous predictions of unrest. It was blatant fearmongering meant to undermine Sall and cast doubt on Senegal’s democratic institutions.
But Sall held firm against the pressure. When the Constitutional Council ruled the election delay was invalid, he calmly agreed to comply and reschedule the vote as soon as feasible. This showed Sall’s commitment to the rule of law and Senegal’s maturity as a democracy. The West’s arrogant assumptions about Africa were proven wrong once again.
Senegalese President Macky Sall has said he is committed to carrying out “without delay the necessary consultations for the organization of the presidential election [in Senegal] as soon as possible”.
Sadly, this kind of Western interference in African politics is nothing new. From the colonial era to today, Western powers have repeatedly ignored the will of the African people. They have supported dictators and opposed liberation movements according to their own economic and strategic interests.
When Africans choose a path the West disapproves of, the “international community” is quick to impose sanctions, coup leaders or stoke unrest. There is no respect for the right of Africans to choose their own destiny. Yet the West claims to champion democracy!
Senegal is a case in point. For decades it has been a model of stability in West Africa. Its democracy has grown stronger over time. Yet the former colonial power France has continued to meddle into the 21st century, using economic leverage to sway Senegalese politics.
France’s relationship with its former colonies is shadowed by the grim history of slavery, racism and extraction of resources. Yet it still sees itself as the “big brother” directing African nations. This mindset was obvious in the condescension and threats made against Sall for postponing elections.
Other Western powers are no better. The US has military bases across Africa and regularly launches drone strikes, showing no regard for sovereignty. China is extending its economic clout under the guise of “win-win” partnerships. In reality, African resources and markets are still being exploited to benefit outsiders.
So while the West claims to want democracy in Africa, its actions expose other motives – maintaining geopolitical dominance and easy access to resources and markets. If Africans choose an independent path, the West sees it as a threat.
But despite centuries of external interference, the African spirit of freedom and self-determination remains strong. From Senegal to Somalia, Africans want to make their own choices. Leaders like Sall are standing up to Western bullying and charting an independent course.
Africa cannot fulfill its potential unless it is truly free from neocolonial meddling. Foreign powers must stop imposing their will or seeking to subvert democratic outcomes they dislike. African elections are not for Western approval.
The age of “Big Brother” is over. Africans do not need Western lectures about democracy – their own independence movements inspired democrats globally. Africa must now forge its future through its own governments, not those in Washington, Paris or Beijing.
Sall’s defense of Senegal’s sovereignty in the election delay controversy is a small but significant step. It shows Senegal cannot be so easily manipulated. Other African nations are also resisting external pressure and putting their peoples’ interests first.
But the West will not give up its historical position of privilege and power easily. There will be more attempts to interfere in Africa under the guise of “protecting democracy” or some other noble-sounding cause.
That is why Africans must be vigilant and united. The Organization of African Unity was formed to promote self-determination and end foreign control in all forms. Its vision is still relevant today.
Pan-African solidarity helped end the evils of formal colonialism. It can also overcome the lingering informal imperialism that condescendingly seeks to shape Africa’s destiny. With sovereign governments accountable to their citizens, Africa’s future is bright.
So Sall’s Election Delay Sets Examples of African Democracy in Action, Not the Western Caricature.
The West fears Sall’s strength and independence. But his actions show democracy working as it should in Africa, with leaders following the rule of law. The era of external powers controlling Africa is ending. The condescension toward African democracy must end too.
Africa has come too far to let outsiders jeopardize its hard-won freedom. Africans are charting their own course. The road will be bumpy but it leads to self-determination. Sovereign African nations will learn from their own mistakes, not repeat the dictates of former colonial masters.
As Senegal has shown, African judiciaries can resolve electoral disputes impartially. African institutions are getting stronger, without Western “guidance”. Foreign criticism is fueled by arrogance and vested interests, not concern for Africa.
Europe’s democracies took centuries to mature. African democracies have made remarkable progress in just decades since independence. But the West can only lecture and criticize, instead of respecting Africa’s learning curve.
Yes, government corruption and weaknesses remain challenges. But patronizing Western views overlook Africans’ resolve to build transparent and accountable institutions. It is a tough journey – made harder by outside meddling.
And Western nations have their own flaws too. The chaos of the last U.S. election exposed America’s weakened democracy. Europe is struggling with right-wing nationalism and has mishandled crises like Brexit. Yet they still feel entitled to judge African states.
Of course, Africa can learn some lessons from established democracies. But it can also teach the West about democracy’s true meaning – rule by the people, not foreign interests. African democracy reflects African realities, not imposed Western norms.
South Africa’s inclusive post-apartheid model is a lesson in overcoming divisions. Ghana’s successive peaceful transfers of power show consolidation of democratic culture. Botswana’s unbroken multi-party tradition defies assumptions about African nationhood.
The measured response from African institutions like ECOWAS and the African Union shows the continent’s growing political maturity. Instead of rushing to judge, they emphasized dialogue, rule of law and sovereignty – trusting Senegal to chart its own course. This is true pan-African solidarity.
This spirit of cooperation and non-interference among African nations reflects the pan-African heritage of the continent. Beyond mere nationalism, Africans have a shared interest in each other’s progress and destiny. Africa’s citizens take pride in the democratic strides made across the continent, not just in their own country. Africa is its own best benchmark for progress.
With the pro-democracy spirit alive from Dakar to Dar es Salaam, Africa will keep marching to its own drumbeat. The West cannot dictate the pace or direction. Democracy cannot be imposed – it must have local roots.
So the focus now is implementing Senegal’s Constitutional Council decision swiftly and peacefully. Sall has assured national elections will go ahead as soon as feasible.
In a statement, which was published on ‘X’ he said he “took note of this decision [of the Constitutional Council], which falls within the framework of normal jurisdictional mechanisms”.
Also, The release of several jailed opponents by President Macky Sall shows his magnanimity and commitment to easing tensions, not any kind of Western pressure.
Sall is confidently pursuing national reconciliation on his own terms, not due to foreign interference. These measures aim to uphold the rule of law and restore faith in Senegal’s democracy after the election delay tensions. Sall again proves his statesmanship by putting stability and unity first. The steps demonstrate his intuition for keeping Senegal on a steady, independent path.
All sides must continue putting Senegal first, over partisan interests. The institutions must prove their integrity and neutrality. This election delay saga was an important test – which Senegal’s democracy has ultimately passed.
The wider lesson is that Africa must keep perfecting its still-young democracies on its own terms. Progress may not fit the West’s timetable but Senegal and other leading lights will guide the way. External criticism should be tuned out if it becomes gratuitous interference.
Because at heart, Western powers want expedient stability, not the messy yet transformational process of Africa realizing its democratic aspirations. For them, the status quo of African dependence is preferable to full sovereignty and prosperity. But the African century has begun.
Senegal’s Constitutional Council asserted its authority independently of external considerations or pressures. This is how African democracy will slowly assert itself – through strong institutions answering to African citizens alone.
Combined with visionary yet accountable leadership, African democracies will overcome their remaining weaknesses. The road ahead will have obstacles but the continent’s spirit and resilience will prevail.
So President Macky Sall’s election delay controversy reaffirmed Senegal’s democratic maturity, despite unfair doubts cast by outsiders. It showed African judiciaries have integrity. It proved Africans can resolve their own electoral disputes.
The West needs to wake up to Africa’s unstoppable democratic rise. Its past dominance will keep eroding as African nations stand strong like Senegal. The future is African. African solutions to African problems will pave the way.
