Senegal’s Christian community urged to step up political leadership
In a call to action, the Mouvement autonome chrétien pour le développement durable (MAC 20), a Senegalese civil society group, has highlighted the limited political involvement of Christians in the country. Speaking at a forum in Mbour, south of Dakar, the organization stressed the need for greater Christian representation in decision-making processes ahead of the upcoming legislative elections.
The event, held under the patronage of Augustin Tine, Minister of Armed Forces, centered on the theme “Christian Political Engagement and Leadership”. The forum drew attention to the discrepancy between the Christian community’s active role in social and economic spheres and its underrepresentation in political structures.
Bridging the representation gap
Emile Daly Diouf, President of MAC 20, emphasized the importance of Christians taking a more active role in politics. “While we are a minority, our engagement must be more substantial and visible,” he stated. “We need to ensure that Christian voices are heard in the corridors where key decisions are made.”
He underscored the movement’s commitment to supporting Christian candidates, clarifying that the organization would not field its own but rather back those who align with its values. “Our role is to encourage and uplift Christians in politics, ensuring they ascend to positions of influence,” Diouf explained. The statement also left the door open for future endorsements in the 2019 presidential race.
Current political landscape
Hélène Tine, a Christian parliamentarian, echoed these concerns, noting that the Christian community’s participation in politics remains disproportionately low. “We are full-fledged citizens and must not shy away from shaping our nation’s future,” she said, referencing the encouragement from Church leaders to engage in public service.
Highlighting the stark numbers, she pointed out that out of 150 deputies in the current parliament, only three are Christians—including herself, the sole female Christian representative among 64 women in the assembly. “Our presence on electoral lists often relegates us to non-electable positions,” she noted. “Both the Christian community and political parties must work together to foster greater diversity, a cornerstone of Senegal’s democratic tradition.”
