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June 23, 2011 - June 23, 2023: a radioscopy of militant fervor
On June 23, 2011, a constitutional reform designed to lower to 25% the minimum first-round vote required to elect a "presidential ticket" comprising a president and vice-president was withdrawn, following a popular mobilization. June 23rd was born. The M23 was its organic figure, bringing together political and civil society activists. Now, on June 23, 2023, the anniversary of this vast popular movement, Senegal is once again at the heart of political convulsions whose resonance permeates the social body of the entire country. What can we learn from June 23, 2011? How can we make this date a source of inspiration for current and future struggles? What is the legitimacy of these organic structures, which crystallize the aspirations of the masses over the years? For its second editions, The Argument interviews three observers who were at the heart of the events of June 23, 2011, to look back and analyze the similarities and differences with current movements and events in the country.
*The Argument is a series of conversations on political, economic, social and ecological issues affecting contemporary African societies. The idea is to use current events as a starting point for a critical dialogue between thinkers, activists and artists. The aim of Le Désaccord is to revive argumentative and contradictory debate on issues that are part of our daily lives. With The Argument, RAW aims to be a space for thought and action in the service of transforming society, and a forum for documenting the epistemic shifts of our complex times. This program is implemented in collaboration with political scientist and essayist Hamidou Anne.
About Hamidou Anne
Hamidou Anne is a political scientist and essayist. A former student of ENA, he also has a degree in political communication from Paris. After years of writing for Le Monde, he now writes an Ideas column in the Senegalese newspaper Le Quotidien. He is co-author and author of several books: Politisez-Vous! (United Press, 2017); Panser l'Afrique qui vient (Présence Africaine, 2019); Amadou Mahtar Mbow : une vie, des combats (Vives-Voix, 2019). Also attentive to contemporary African creation, he publishes articles and reviews on the subject.
About Aida Sopi Niang
Aida Sopi Niang has been a political and women's rights activist since 2007, first with the "Pit", then with "Bes du niak". Coordinator of the M23 youth movement, she is also first deputy mayor of the Sicap Liberté commune and deputy mayor of the city of Dakar.
About Ghaëls Babacar Mbaye
A member of various civil society organizations in Senegal, Ghaëls Babacar Mbaye is a jurist, analyst and civil society activist, very active in citizen initiatives aimed at strengthening human rights, good governance, actions to promote youth entrepreneurship in Senegal, their coaching and support, as well as the participation of young people and women in decision-making bodies. These initiatives include the "Patients in Danger" collective, the "Sunuy Milyaar du rees" collective and "Power To Youth".
About Abdoul Aziz Diop
Abdoul Aziz Diop is an engineer, environmentalist, political scientist and lexicometrician. In February 2023, twenty years after the publication of his collection of chronicles Nous avons choisi la République, Mr. DIOP signed his fifth essay entitled "Gagner le débat..." (L'Harmattan Sénégal & Editions universitaires européennes). The former M23 spokesman is a member of the Alliance pour la République (APR) and Special Advisor to the President of the Republic of Senegal.
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