The news:
- Senegal launched a new online platform, Jubbanti, on Thursday, May 23, 2024, as part of the national dialogue on judicial reforms, where citizens will be allowed to share their views.
- The country's justice "tribunal" is scheduled to meet from May 28 to June 4 as part of a national dialogue process that will include jurists, university teachers, and other citizens.
- Senegal's new president, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, stated that the digital platform, available in both French and Wolof, is part of his commitment to establishing a transparent and efficient justice system.
"This is part of our commitment to a more transparent, efficient justice system that is open to everyone," President Faye wrote on its official website.
Jubbanti, which means “redress” in the local Wolof language, allows its citizens to share their views on the judicial reform process.
"I invite you to use the platform with sincerity and constructively. Your contributions are indispensable towards building a legal system worthy of our national ambition, founded on fairness, transparency and responsibility," President Faye cautioned.
Per Alassane Ndiaye, Technical Adviser at the Justice Ministry, the resulting proposals from the tribunal will afterwards be subjected to political arbitration.
The digital platform is coming after a major strain on Senegalese democracy, and it’s expected to douse the recent tensions.
Former Senegalese President Macky Sall announced in February 2024 that the presidential elections, scheduled for later that month, would be postponed for ten months.
Citizens around the country considered his actions to be an unconstitutional attempt to extend his term and to the street in what soon became widespread demonstrations.
As a result of the human rights violations, such as opposition arrests and Internet restriction, that followed former President Sall’s announcement, the Senegalese populace clamours for a president who will uphold democratic values.
President Faye's decision to prioritise listening to citizens so soon after taking office is expected to help jumpstart rebuilding trust in the presidency and other governmental institutions.
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It remains to be seen how the Faye-led administration will incorporate feedback on Jubbanti into concrete judicial reforms. Ultimately, this will determine the efficacy of the digital platform.
