Taxawu Sénégal has officially transitioned from a political platform into a structured party during its foundational congress held in Dakar on Sunday, May 10. The event, themed «From platform to political party: Rethinking the social contract for a sovereign, just, united and prosperous Senegal», brought together activists, leaders and supporters to endorse a bold new strategic direction for the movement.
At the conclusion of the congress, Khalifa Ababacar Sall was acclaimed as the party’s leader in a vibrant atmosphere filled with enthusiasm and dedication. In a speech that blended sharp critique with forward-looking proposals, the newly elected head of Taxawu Sénégal delivered a sobering assessment of the nation’s challenges. He highlighted deep-seated concerns and daily hardships faced by citizens, stating, «Across our cities, towns, neighborhoods and villages, one reality stands clear: Senegalese men and women feel—and I would even say know—that promises of social justice, prosperity and transparency remain unfulfilled.»
a nation grappling with multi-dimensional crises
Khalifa Sall painted a picture of a country struggling under the weight of social and economic pressures. Teachers demand recognition, students protest poor learning conditions, workers call for fair labor standards, and farmers face growing uncertainty. He emphasized the dire straits of the agricultural sector, warning of total disarray among farmers and the rapid depletion of marine resources, which threatens both fishing communities and Senegal’s maritime economy. The youth, he noted, are particularly vulnerable, with mass unemployment fueling a resurgence of clandestine migration.
«When a nation’s youth falters, the entire country trembles. A rudderless youth signals a future without momentum,» he declared, adding a memorable line: «We have plenty of young people looking for work; what we lack are jobs for those who find it.»
proposing a renewed social contract
In response to these challenges, Taxawu Sénégal is positioning itself with a fresh political agenda centered on a reimagined social contract. Khalifa Sall outlined a vision built on several pillars:
- An impartial, efficient and exemplary state that prioritizes transparency and good governance.
- Universal access to quality education, healthcare, employment and social protection.
- A strengthened decentralization model with autonomous and accountable local governments, transparent budgets and participatory governance.
- A call for an independent judiciary, free from political interference or selective justice, and the protection of public freedoms, including free expression and press freedom.
He underscored the party’s commitment to democratic pluralism, asserting: «A democracy without a viable opposition is merely an unacknowledged autocracy.»
sovereignty, solidarity and economic independence
The discourse also addressed Senegal’s role on the global stage. Khalifa Sall advocated for a foreign policy rooted in peace, multilateralism, African solidarity and economic sovereignty, especially amid a global landscape marked by geopolitical tensions and economic instability.
He reaffirmed Taxawu Sénégal’s socialist identity, declaring: «We are socialists. We cannot accept a system where inequality is perpetuated from one generation to the next.» The party’s vision is structured around a triad of human dignity, water and land, aiming to build a productive and distributive economy that creates wealth and ensures equitable sharing of growth.
In a heartfelt appeal to fellow socialists, Khalifa Sall urged unity among left-wing forces as a vital step toward addressing the country’s current challenges. «Senegal needs a united opposition. Unity is our strength—and it will be our victory,» he concluded, as the congress erupted in sustained applause.
