The Intelligence from The Economist cover image

The Intelligence from The Economist

The Intelligence: meeting Senegal’s president

Oct 31, 2023
Kinley Salmon, the Africa correspondent for The Economist, interviews Macky Sall, Senegal's president, discussing the fragile state of democracy amidst regional upheaval. Sall expresses concerns over upcoming elections and the tension they bring. Meanwhile, Nicholas Pelham dives into the mystery of Mohammed Daif, a shadowy Hamas commander influencing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The conversation also touches on evolving meat consumption attitudes in France, spotlighting how political and societal factors intertwine with dietary choices.
23:50

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • President Macky Sall expressed concern about the rise of coups in the Sahel region and questioned the rush to hold elections after coups, highlighting the risks of instability and uncompleted mandates.
  • Mohammed Deif, known as the 'Phantom,' is a secretive commander-in-chief of Hamas's military wing, instrumental in transforming the group into a sophisticated army through the development of secure tunnels under Gaza.

Deep dives

Challenges to Democracy in Africa's Sahel Region

The Sahel region of Africa has been facing a growing problem of jihadist insurgencies and coups against elected governments in recent years. Countries like Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Niger have experienced coups, while Senegal, previously seen as a bastion of democracy in the region, is also facing rising instability. Macky Sall, the president of Senegal, expressed his concern about these coups and the lack of effective regional intervention. He also questioned the rush to hold elections after coups, pointing out the risks of elected presidents being overthrown or not completing their mandates. Additionally, Sall emphasized the threat of jihadism spreading across the Sahel region and the serious consequences it could have for Africa as a whole.

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts

Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
App store bannerPlay store banner