Senegalese christians urged to step up political engagement

In a bold call for greater civic participation, a leading Christian civil society group in Senegal has highlighted the insufficient political involvement of the country’s Christian community.

The Movement for Autonomous Christian Development (MAC 20) convened a high-level forum in Mbour, just south of Dakar, on June 10, 2017, to address the theme of Christian political participation and leadership. The event took place ahead of the legislative elections scheduled for July 30 of that year and was attended by Senegal’s Minister of Armed Forces, Augustin Tine.

Missing: a Christian voice in national decision-making

Emile Daly Diouf, President of MAC 20, delivered a strong message to the gathered Christian leaders and activists: the community must assume greater responsibility in shaping the nation’s political future. “Though Christians represent a minority in Senegal, their collective influence must grow far beyond its current level,” he asserted. “We are present in political parties, yet lack true leadership.”

Diouf stressed the urgency of positioning Christian voices in the corridors of power, where key decisions are made. “Our community must not only speak out but also be heard at the highest levels of governance,” he said. He went on to emphasize the movement’s dual commitment: supporting Christian candidates for public office and backing religious leaders in their civic advocacy. While MAC 20 does not intend to field its own candidates, it will actively endorse those who align with its values—particularly ahead of the 2019 presidential elections.

Numbers tell the story: Christians underrepresented in parliament

Hélène Tine, a Christian parliamentarian and daughter of the former Minister of Armed Forces, provided sobering statistics. Out of 150 seats in the National Assembly, only three are held by Christians—one of whom is a woman. “We are full citizens, called by our faith and our bishops to engage in the public square,” she stated. “Yet, despite our organizational strength and dynamism in other areas, we remain hesitant when it comes to politics.”

Tine pointed to systemic barriers: Christian candidates are often placed low on party lists, reducing their chances of election. “There is a clear need for both the Christian community and political parties to foster diversity,” she noted. “Senegal has long valued pluralism—it’s time we honor that tradition by ensuring fair representation.”