In Thiès, countless questions are being raised about the Socialist Party (PS) congress, scheduled for December. Aminata Mbengue Ndiaye's colleagues in the railway city are concerned about the necessity of a transformation to meet current challenges and revitalize the party. The political organization has been struggling since losing power in 2000.

The Secretary General of the Thiès Municipal Union of Coordination Committees, Ousseynou Keïta, asked: "If, by chance, our hopes were dashed and the congress were not held for one reason or another on the scheduled date, what would we do?" He believes that "certain prerequisites have not been met." He added: "We should, without hesitation, consider anything that might get us out of this situation."

For Ousseynou Keïta, it would therefore have been necessary to agree beforehand, at the very least, on a shared diagnosis, in order to jointly consider the remedies to be applied. There is a need for the ad hoc commission to debate these issues in plenary session and to establish a consensual course of action, oriented towards a specific objective to serve as a compass for the work of the subcommittees tasked with designing and proposing the reforms. According to him, none of this has been done. And that is why he believes the December meeting is likely to be jeopardized.

Personal ambitions are likely to take over

For Bineta Fatim Dieng, President of the Thiès branch of the Socialist Party Women's Union, getting the Socialist Party back on track depends, in part, on the importance of the relationships between its leaders and members. "A benevolent and positive attitude, in keeping with the values bequeathed by our late Secretary General, Comrade Ousmane Tanor Dieng. When ideas diverge or paths seem unclear, let us always remember our shared ideal. When personal ambitions threaten to take over, let us remember that our commitment transcends each of us: it aims for the collective good and the continuity of a shared endeavor."