The Autonomous Christian Movement for Sustainable Development (MAC 20), a Senegalese civil society organization, declared on June 10, 2017, that the political involvement of the nation’s Christian population remained notably limited and hesitant.
Established just in February to foster Christian participation in politics, MAC 20 hosted a forum titled “Christian Political Engagement and Leadership” in Mbour, a city south of Dakar. The event, which saw the Minister of Armed Forces, Augustin Tine, preside, was strategically timed in anticipation of the upcoming legislative elections scheduled for July 30.
Absence of Christian political leadership
Through its president, Emile Daly Diouf, MAC 20 urged Catholics to enhance their involvement, aiming for more significant leadership roles within political parties. “While Christians constitute a minority, we aspire for this engagement to be far more substantial than its current state,” Daly Diouf emphasized on behalf of his organization. He further noted that although Christians participate in political parties, a distinct Christian leadership is conspicuously absent. Daly Diouf contended that Christians must empower themselves to achieve greater leadership and position themselves where pivotal decisions are made. “We want them to articulate a political voice and engage in political discourse. We also aim to support religious authorities,” he stated, adding that MAC 20 is considering backing a candidate for the 2019 presidential election. “Our intention is not to put forward our own candidates, but rather to endorse existing ones. That is the crucial distinction. We encourage Christians to strive within their respective spheres, and we will support their advancement and leadership,” he affirmed.
Only three Christians among 150 deputies
Hélène Tine, a Christian parliamentarian, acknowledged the underrepresentation of Christians in Senegal’s political landscape. “As full-fledged citizens, we cannot remain disengaged from political life and the governance of our nation. The Church actively encourages our participation,” she explained. She recalled entering politics in response to a call from the bishops. “It is imperative for Christians to become more deeply involved in politics. Despite their strong organization and dynamism, they tend to be somewhat withdrawn from the political arena.” According to Tine, the current parliament, comprising 150 deputies, includes only three Christians, one of whom is a woman — herself. She stands as the sole Christian among 64 female deputies. “Christian involvement in political life remains tentative. On national electoral lists, they are often relegated to positions that hinder their chances of election,” she observed. “Efforts are required from both the Christian community and political parties to foster diversity, a consistently vital element in Senegal that merits continued cultivation,” she concluded.