Analysis of power in Senegal: Machiavelli's influence on Diomaye

While the Constitution vests full executive power in the President, political practice suggests a more complex reality. Observers note that the state apparatus appears to react quickly to public statements from Ousmane Sonko, raising questions about whether authority is shared or if the Head of State is subtly serving his former Prime Minister. Machiavelli's teachings suggest that Diomaye's apparent docility could be a strategic maneuver, a feigned weakness to outmaneuver adversaries.

However, this strategy carries risks; if the public doubts the true source of authority, the Prince loses belief in his sovereignty. The challenge for Diomaye is not merely administrative but symbolic: he must not only govern but visibly demonstrate that he governs. If public perception shifts, believing the center of power has moved, reality will follow.

Historical examples in Senegal, such as the 1962 conflict between Léopold Sédar Senghor and Mamadou Dia, and the later split between Abdoulaye Wade and Idrissa Seck, illustrate that presidential systems struggle with dual authority. Today, with Pastef holding 130 out of 165 parliamentary seats and Sonko as President of the Assembly, a clash between constitutional and charismatic legitimacy is emerging. The article suggests a Machiavellian approach for Diomaye involving three actions: temporization and deferment to wear down opponents, divid