New phase in Senegal

I have lived in places where I did not get power or water for months on end, but Senegal is not such a place.  They have benefited from a stronger support base, non-violent transitions in power, and strong outside investment, until recently.  The downturn in the world economy has meant that a poorly run government can no longer keep up with shortages and increasing demands for fuel, food, and jobs.  Past incidents of corruption went unnoticed against the backdrop of relative comfort and stability.  Now that the veil has been lifted, and the population has seen the effectiveness of violent outcries for change.  We can expect to see a shift in Senegal.  

Last week, members of parliament critiqued the proposed bill not because they were genuinely against President Wade's idea for a new format of government and elections. They verbally criticized it because they feared that their families, homes, and cars would be harmed, burned, or looted. Several close aides to the head of state had faced this same fate that evening.  The fear in the eyes of those in government has been laid bare for all to see.  The disgruntled youth have opened the proverbial political Pandora's box, and now, only shrewd, presidential leadership can steer Senegal away from this precipice of brinkmanship and mob rule.

Last night youth burned several government buildings including city hall and three electric power offices when the city was plunged into 48 hours of darkness.  As I said before, hardly a hardship foreign to its neighbors, but to the Senegalese, it is a step too far in the wrong direction. Today the US Embassy issued this warning to people living in Dakar:

"Violent demonstrations erupted overnight in various neighborhoods of Dakar.  While last week’s demonstrations (specifically those on June 23rd) focused on a controversial law regarding the upcoming Presidential elections, demonstrations last night focused on public frustration over continued and increasing power outages in Dakar.  While power cuts are not a new phenomenon, their frequency and duration have increased in recent months.  In addition, it should be noted that two separate churches were torched over the weekend in separate locations near Dakar.  While not related to the issue of power cuts, it is an indication of ongoing unrest and the possibility of violence.

The demonstrations last night quickly became violent, with protestors throwing rocks, burning tires, torching cars and buses, and blocking roads.  Further demonstrations are planned today, which may target various sites in the city and/or the offices of Senelec (the national electricity company.)  Demonstrations in other locations could occur without prior notice, and demonstrations of this nature may continue in the coming days.

Travel plans should be amended to account for the possibility of continued protests and/or ensuing violence and delays in these affected areas. We remind U.S. citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can quickly and without much advance warning turn confrontational and escalate into violence. The Embassy, therefore, urges U.S. citizens to avoid crowds, political gatherings, and street demonstrations, even if they appear to be peaceful, and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations. If indoors when a demonstration begins, shelter in place until it is safe to move about. U.S. citizens should stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surrounding at all times."


It is not an overly alarming message.  No one expects matters to get out of hand. Not today.  But we are all keeping our eyes on the political leadership to steer this ship to a safer harbor.

No Silence, No dialog

Dialog is a powerful tool.  We see it used across the dinner table, pillow talk, between strangers on a city bus, and in more formal formats as a means of self expression and vehicles to arrive at mutual understanding, conflict management, and to effect a change in behavior and amelioration of circumstances to put us back into right relation. 

Dialog is an important lesson for our youth to learn.  It is a tool within each of us.  It is a power to wield for change.  It is a tool that may enable each of us to help mold our environment into a substance that nourishes the soul and our society. When we lose sight of that fact, dialog seems like a less viable option compared to violence.

In Dakar and in some many capital cities today, the youth have lost faith in the power of dialog and resort to public displays of violence to make their point, effect a change in behavior, and assert their power.  They have an impact.  People recoil and react in fear, not with understanding or compassion.  But they react they do. Concession are made and the lesson is learned.

Unfortunately for this youth, this generation, such is not the lesson that will serve them or their people.

Today our office in Dakar closed early to allow our staff to return home early.  The city seems to be burning. Many embassies remained closed and encouraged other US-funded organizations to send their staff home early so that they may reach home before nightfall when more looting and violence is expected.  The main roads leading from the peninsula into the suburbs where the majority of the people live have been closed or blocked by burning tires and police barricades. The government has made concessions but apparently that gesture is not enough. The lessons of Libya, Tunisia, Egypt, Syria, and Yemen have shown that impressive public displays will sway public officials to make other decisions. The anger is spreading to other failures of the government. It appears that this is not the end. 

Tomorrow is a new day.  New days bring new promises, so I remain optimistic and hopeful for a return to dialog.