During its last General Assembly held at its headquarters a few days ago, the Emerging Senegal Club (CSE) looked at the current situation in Senegal.

After a broad overview of the national situation, the Emerging Senegal Club carried out a detailed and in-depth analysis of the political, economic and social news in our country, ten (10) months after the presidential election of March 2024, which resulted in a political change and the election of Mr. Bassirou Diakhar Faye, candidate of the Diomaye President Coalition, as President of the Republic.

Following fruitful discussions, the following observations were made:

1. Financial and budgetary situation:

- A very tense and restrictive situation for the State, characterized by massive indebtedness, a high budget deficit, the downgrading of the country's sovereign rating by the Moody's rating agency, high and uncontrolled inflation in the prices of basic foodstuffs, a drop in the level of economic activity, a very difficult groundnut campaign, an increase in unemployment and underemployment (especially among young people), as well as threats of social and union tensions.

- Added to this is the publication, on February 13, 2025, of the latest report from the Court of Auditors on the audit of public accounts, as well as the announcement by the Secretary General of the Government on RTS1 of drastic budgetary adjustment measures, including the lifting of energy subsidies, the elimination of certain structures and operating expenses, and a reduction in the salaries and benefits of State agents.

2. Persistent political tensions:

- Despite a relative lull, political tension persists, accentuated by the lack of initiatives to open up dialogue by the new authorities towards the opposition and social and citizen forces, which are nevertheless necessary to build dynamic compromises in the national interest.

- Appointments to senior government positions sometimes seem targeted or lack rigor in timing and review of profiles, risking underperformance in achieving objectives and increased politicization of the Public Administration.

3. Accountability:

- The current conduct of accountability leaves many citizens doubtful, giving the impression of a political settling of scores, marked by a lack of serenity and a worrying haste.

4. Freedom of the press and opinion:

- Threats weigh on the private press, freedom of the press and of opinion, with systematic imprisonment of opinion-holders close to the opposition, while impunity seems relative for those close to power.

5. Employment policies:

- The failure of the employment policies of successive governments since the 1980s concerns the entire nation, and first and foremost the government. Paradoxically, some officials are engaging in layoffs in the public and parapublic sectors, instead of initiating broad consultations with the stakeholders concerned, including the rural world, to review these policies and develop a new structural approach based on the economy and territories, prioritizing the private sector and project leaders.

6. Justice under pressure:

- National opinion notes that Senegalese justice is under strong political pressure in the context of accountability, arousing concern, doubt and perplexity among many citizens with regard to this capital institution, the last bulwark for the smooth running of the Republic and democracy.

Faced with this national context, the Club wishes to solemnly alert public opinion and the government, in particular the President of the Republic, guarantor of national unity, to the real risks of a general conflagration in socio-professional sectors.

These risks arise from signed but unfulfilled agreements, abusive layoffs in the parastatal sector, the gloomy prospects of wage cuts, layoffs and a general increase in prices following the lifting of energy subsidies, as well as the risks of renewed tensions in the south of the country and jihadist threats on the northern borders.

The Club strongly suggests to the President of the Republic and the government, in this difficult context, to favour humility, openness, consultation and inclusive dialogue, rather than intimidation or attempts at forcing through which could lead to serious difficulties.

Furthermore, the effective start of the exploitation and marketing of hydrocarbon resources constitutes good news for households and the national economy in general.

The CSE has decided to share its thoughts and recommendations with the President of the Republic on the conduct of public policies, in particular concerning:

- Accountability,

- Improving the governance of justice and freedoms,

- The policy of industrialization and territorial poles,

- The urgent and painful issue of youth employment and illegal immigration, which has become a real social bomb.

Dakar, Tuesday, February 18, 2025

THE EMERGING SENEGAL CLUB