By: Mame Bineta Diop, Municipal Councilor in Yoff, Facilitator at ComDev Africa

Date: June 2, 2025

Subject: Digital Data on the Participation of Youth and People with Disabilities in Decision-Making Bodies

Dear Facilitator of the National Dialogue,

My name is Mame Bineta Diop, a municipal councilor and elected secretary for the Municipality of Yoff. I also serve as a facilitator for ComDev Africa. ComDev Africa is a member organization of the Senegal Youth Consortium and works to promote the social and solidarity economy in Africa.

Dear Facilitator,

Young people heard your call during the launch of the Jubbanti platform, in which you said, and I quote: “The democratic destiny of our nation will not unfold in our living rooms, but in the truth of collective discourse.” End quote. I am convinced that you firmly believe in this. That is why you came to meet us on May 23, 2025, at the CJS. We thank you most sincerely.

I would also like to commend the establishment of the Jubbanti digital platform, designed to collect contributions from our citizens on the national dialogue. With this initiative, Senegal is fulfilling its commitment to the OGP (Open Government Partnership), to which the municipality of Yoff is the only locality, besides the City of Dakar, to have joined the local component. More specifically, this relates to commitment number 8 concerning citizen participation.

Therefore, I urge young people to contribute positively to the national dialogue through this platform. According to the 2023 census by the ANSD (National Agency for Statistics and Demography), young people under 35 years of age represent 76% of the population in Senegal. In my view, this demographic weight should be reflected in the results section of the report on citizen contributions to the national dialogue.

Dear colleagues, to achieve this goal, I encourage you to share your opinions via this link to help improve the Senegalese political system: https://jubbanti.sec.gouv.sn.

As an example to illustrate the demographic weight of youth in electoral matters, the results of the 2023 census show that young people aged 18 to 35 represent 28.8% of the electorate. Personally, I participated in a workshop on youth participation in public policy development on May 12, 13, and 14, 2025. I was part of the MASEBU group (Mali, Senegal, Burkina Faso), which worked on the theme: "Low youth participation in decision-making bodies." At the end of our work, it was decided to reserve a quota of 30% for young people in elected and semi-elected bodies, which is completely unrealistic.

Indeed, at one point I questioned the definition of the word "young." However, according to the African Youth Charter, young people are those aged 15 to 35. The charter states that the voting age is determined by the legislation of each member state of the African Union. Our country, Senegal, sets the voting age at 18.

Mr. Facilitator,

It is worth noting that this youth, who represent the hope of tomorrow, needs sustained training, particularly in the digital field, which constitutes the future.

Mr. Facilitator,

In my humble opinion, as with gender parity, Senegalese youth should have a minimum quota of 20 young people on each list presented by a political party in legislative and local elections, otherwise the list will be deemed inadmissible. We are ready to participate in the dialogue to defend our position on this issue.

Mr. Facilitator,

The success of the Youth Olympic Games should be a concern for all segments of the Senegalese population, but especially for the youth of our country. In this regard, I propose holding a conference during the Games on the theme "Educational Communities and Olympism: Let's Cultivate Respect for Our Values."

Mr. Facilitator,

The culture of living together should be taught from preschool to university. Similarly, the culture of giving and receiving should inspire every Senegalese citizen; long live the community! From you I receive, to you I give back, and so life is enriched for everyone. Therefore, I invite the youth to reflect on the meaning of this song in the context of the European Community. Furthermore, I appeal to these young people: dear compatriots, the electoral register is open; please register before the closing date.

Mr. Facilitator,

The issue of peace must be a major concern for the states and citizens of the Sahel. Insecurity in the Sahel must be resolved quickly. This issue will certainly be resolved through dialogue, not through wars, armed uprisings, or even terrorism.

All conflicts throughout the world must be resolved amicably. For lasting peace, Israelis and Palestinians must accept the two-state solution. Therefore, I invite stakeholders, under the leadership of the United Nations, to come together to lay the foundations for lasting peace. The same applies to the Ukrainian issue. In all these conflicts, the majority of human lives lost are young people.

Mr. Facilitator,

The slogan of the Equal Youth Senegal Consortium can be summarized in a three-part phrase: Bokk, Jang, and Liggey. Bokk means inclusion and access. Jang means learning, and Liggey means work. In this context, forgetting people with disabilities would be a fatal mistake.

According to the ANSD (National Agency for Statistics and Demography), the prevalence rate of disability is estimated at 7.3% in 2023. In my opinion, a minimum quota of 5 people with disabilities per list would be appropriate, otherwise the list would be deemed inadmissible. This contributes to respecting Article 4 of the Social Orientation Law No. 2010-15 of July 6, 2010, which states that the State and local authorities, within their respective jurisdictions, ensure the full and complete participation of people with disabilities in the social, economic, and cultural life of the nation.

This article is reinforced by Article 43, which states that legally recognized organizations of people with disabilities, operating in the field of disability rights protection, are consulted to provide their opinions on all matters relating to disability, and in particular on the design, implementation, and evaluation of policies and programs for people with disabilities.

Mr. Facilitator,

Article 29 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which Senegal has ratified, also deserves consideration, as it establishes participation in political and public life. Ideas are converging on a single ballot. For blind or visually impaired voters, a digital system guarantees greater transparency. Let's not forget the availability of a sign language interpreter during plenary sessions and the President of the Republic's addresses to the nation.

Mr. Facilitator,

I will conclude by saying this. I would like young people and people with disabilities to have access to, and even be included in, decision-making bodies. Ultimately, these segments of the population will have acquired skills and experience to contribute to the development of our beloved country, Senegal.

Thank you.

Mame Bineta Diop, Municipal Councilor in Yoff, Facilitator at ComDev Africa