New Books Network Podcast — "Why Senegal’s Democracy Survived" (Feb 25, 2026)
People Power Politics Podcast (CEDAR, University of Birmingham)
Host: Timitayo Odeyemi
Guests: Dr. Catherine Lena Kelly (Africa Center for Strategic Studies) & Ibrahima Fall (Académie Directeur, Etica Business School, Dakar)

Overview

This episode explores Senegal's remarkable democratic resilience during the severe institutional crisis of the 2024 presidential election. Through an in-depth conversation with Dr. Catherine Lena Kelly and Ibrahima Fall, co-authors of the Journal of Democracy article "Why Senegal’s Democracy Survived," the discussion unpacked how judicial independence and vibrant civil society mobilization were decisive in preventing democratic breakdown—offering vital lessons for wider West Africa and beyond.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Background & Motivation

• Professional and Personal Connections
  • Both guests have long histories studying Senegalese politics and have closely followed its democratic evolution, from electoral party systems to the rule of law.
  • “We share a passion for democracy, political communications, different aspects of politics, and I think this is what drew us to write about this together.”
    —Dr. Kelly (03:59)

2. Timeline and Detail of the 2024 Election Crisis

• Sequence of Events (06:39–11:16)

  • Election Delay: President Macky Sall delayed the Feb 25, 2024 election, citing alleged corruption in the Constitutional Council (which validates candidacies).
  • Parliamentary Inquiry: Sparked by opposition leader Karim Wade’s failed candidacy and accusations, a commission was formed.
  • Protest and Contestation: Parliament, despite a ruling party majority, was challenged by opposition MPs and mass public mobilization.
  • Judicial Intervention: The Constitutional Council ruled the new (postponed) election date unconstitutional, forcing the president to reset the date—though with a shortened campaign period.
  • Resolution: The judiciary’s ruling, combined with unrelenting social pressure, led to constitutional compliance and the actual holding of elections.

• Notable Quote:

  • “This situation...was perceived by many as an attempt to overturn democratic rules that had long been in place...and this provoked a major institutional moment of challenge and popular mobilization that was without precedent in Senegal.”
    —Dr. Kelly (06:39)

3. Election Outcome

• Key Facts (11:34)
  • Ruling party candidate (Ahmadu Ba) lost to Bassirou Diomaye Faye of the PASTEF movement.
  • Usman Sonko, anticipated as PASTEF’s candidate, was imprisoned, and Faye ran in his stead— “Jo Mai Moi Sanko”, meaning “Faye is Sonko for the 2024 election” summarized the public sentiment.

4. Why Did Democracy Hold? Two Key Pillars

a. Judicial Independence

• The Constitutional Council, despite being heavily appointed by the executive, asserted its authority under unprecedented public scrutiny.
• “A very professional culture of judicial professionalism in Senegal...maybe the Constitutional Council’s willingness to weigh in...was quite interesting and fascinating.”
  —Dr. Kelly (13:48)

b. Civil Society Mobilization

• Youth-led and urban activism, with seasoned citizen movements and independent media, rapidly organized and protested attempts at executive overreach.
• “There’s been a long history of citizen mobilization...young urban voters are looking for new models of governance.”
  —Dr. Kelly (13:48)

c. The Dynamic Between the Two

• The interplay between public pressure and institutional professionalism was pivotal; neither could have succeeded alone.

5. Historical Patterns vs. 2024 Uniqueness

• Previous crises, e.g., the 2012 third-term bid by President Wade, saw Parliament (then) and now in 2024, the judiciary acting as the institutional check—demonstrating evolving, albeit imperfect, institutional balances.
• “We sort of got the opposite exertion of opinion and power by those on the Constitutional Council in this case.”
  —Dr. Kelly (16:52–18:52)

6. Senegal’s “Democratic Muscle Memory”

• Legacy of Protest:
  • Decades of civic activism (Y’en a Marre and similar groups) cemented norms of vigilance and rapid response.
  • Media courage played a role, even under threats like internet slow-downs and harassment.
• “That muscle memory is embedded even more deeply than just the few years before 2024.”
  —Dr. Kelly (19:30)

7. Lingering Vulnerabilities

• Persistent executive dominance and calls for deeper judicial reforms remain.
• Ongoing public demand for structural judicial independence, not just reliance on professionalism.
• “There’s still work to be done in terms of the press code and fundamentally how we preserve this positive culture of independent reporting.”
  —Dr. Kelly (22:33–26:02)

8. Generational Change: A Double-Edged Sword

• Youth as both stabilizers (through renewal) and disruptors (by bypassing traditional party structures, favoring social movements).
• “Certainly this dynamic...shows that younger People are taking charge...it’s pressing up against more traditional ways of doing politics.”
  —Dr. Kelly (26:58)
• Resilient opponents historically needed private financing and experience; new youth movements may prompt shifts in political career trajectories.

9. Regional Lessons and Uniqueness

• Contrasts with Neighbors:
  • No coups in recent memory; nonpolitical, nation-serving army; leadership by religious authorities urging electoral peace.
  • Professional army dynamics: Rotational presidential guard, national service ethos.
• “Military professionalism in Senegal...the army serving the nation (Armee nation)...that also fosters trust and respect.”
  —Dr. Kelly (31:17–34:36)

10. Balance of Institutions vs. “People Power”

• Both formal/informal institutions and civic action crucial in the democratic stress test.
• “People power is real...it couldn’t have happened only with the independent judiciary. It’s this combination of the two that really played a key role.”
  —Dr. Kelly (35:26)

11. Key Lessons for Governments and Citizens

• “Government should not underestimate the power of citizens and their democratic maturity.”
  —Dr. Kelly (37:51)
• “The voice of citizens...in a peaceful fashion can really change the course of things institutionally, politically, and otherwise.”
  —Dr. Kelly (37:51)
• Professional institutional cultures within even executive-dominated bodies can enable resistance to overreach during crises.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Crisis and Resilience:
  “Democratic resilience is not automatic. It has to be practiced. It has to be defended. It has to be mobilized, often in moments of real uncertainty.”
  —Host, Timitayo Odeyemi (38:53)

• On Youth and Social Movements:
  “Political parties are maybe less popular...particularly the youth demographic. They’re really more at the heart of it, a social movement.”
  —Dr. Kelly (26:58)

• On Military Professionalism:
  “Part of the magic formula, for lack of a better term.”
  —Dr. Kelly (34:36)

Key Timestamps

• 00:06–02:13 — Introductions and guest backgrounds
• 06:39–11:16 — Step-by-step of the 2024 election crisis
• 13:48 — Dissecting judicial vs. civil society pillars
• 16:52–18:52 — 2024 compared with 2012 third-term crisis
• 19:30 — Legacy of citizen mobilization
• 22:33–26:02 — Institutional vulnerabilities, justice reform
• 26:58 — The generational shift and implications
• 31:17–34:36 — Senegal vs. the region: coups, military, and civic culture
• 35:26 — Institutions & “people power”: theoretical takeaways
• 37:51 — Concrete lessons for governments and citizens

Conclusion

Senegal’s democracy weathered crisis due to its deep-rooted traditions of citizen mobilization and a judiciary that, under pressure, asserted unprecedented independence—hallmarks reinforced by a nonpolitical military and vibrant civic culture. While not immune to systemic fragilities, Senegal’s experience offers tangible insights for countries where democratic backsliding persists: successful resilience often depends on both strong institutions and an active, cohesive civil society ready to defend hard-won freedoms, especially under duress.

For further reading:

• “Why Senegal’s Democracy Survived” (Journal of Democracy, Oct 2025)
• Party Proliferation and Political Contestation in Africa: Senegal in Comparative Perspective by Catherine Lena Kelly

Podcast produced in collaboration with the Journal of Democracy and the Center for Elections, Democracy, Accountability and Representation (CEDAR), University of Birmingham.