The People Vote, but Do They Really Choose? (Ndiaga Sylla)

Ndiaga Sylla questions whether Senegalese voters choose their leaders using objective criteria or mainly out of hope and attachment, before turning away from elected governments. He argues that a change of government can transform the country only if it breaks with the political practices that have caused repeated disappointments. Senegal should renew both its leaders and the criteria for selecting political elites, favoring competence, integrity and commitment to the public interest over titles or privileged positions. Replacing those in power without changing these practices, he says, changes the leaders but not the system.