In Senegal, it is time for consultations after the postponement of the presidential election initially scheduled for February 25. President Macky Sall promised consultations for the organization of the vote “ as soon as possible “. At the same time, the coalition which supports Bassirou Diomaye Faye is still demanding the release of its candidate, and that of the leader of the former Pastef party, Ousmane Sonko, detained in Dakar since July 2023. The opponent is mayor of Ziguinchor in the south of country for two years. At the town hall, he is absent… very present. Reporting.
2 mins
With our special correspondent in Ziguinchor, Charlotte Idrac
The padded door to the mayor’s office is closed. Abdou Sané is a municipal councilor for the former African Patriots of Senegal party for work, ethics and fraternity (Pastef), in Ziguinchor. The town hall ” works normally » he said: « Ousmane Sonko has always had the reflex to put in place a substantial team – beyond affection, perhaps – but from an operational point of view, everyone fully fulfills their missions. We don’t feel his absence “.
The town hall has 16 deputies and 80 municipal councilors, an overwhelming majority comes from the former Pastef party, party dissolved in July 2023.
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That day, a meeting is devoted to the budget. A session chaired by Djibril Sonko – no relation to Ousmane Sonko – second deputy mayor. “ We are committed to managing the town hall and putting the populations in better conditions, explains the chosen one. It is also a commitment to the mayor, taking into account his situation and taking into account his vision. I tried several times to meet him but it’s complicated to get a visit permit from the administration… No direct contact. »
Ousmane Sonko was elected with his program Burok, ” work “. But the absence of the mayor is slowing down projects, says Dame Bèye, municipal councilor of the ruling coalition, SenegalBenno Bokk Yakaar: “ For almost 2 years, we have noted a lot of delay in the execution of programs and projects which were submitted to Ziguinchor residents by Mayor Ousmane Sonko. »
Among the priorities expressed by residents: employment, the road network, and even sanitation.
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