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.
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.
The Enigmatic Phantom of Hamas: Mohammed Deif
Mohammed Deif, known as the 'Phantom,' is the commander-in-chief of Hamas's military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades. Little is known about him, and he operates in secrecy, rarely seen or heard from. He joined Hamas, seeing it as a better vehicle for fighting Israeli occupation than the rival Fatah party. Deif has been instrumental in transforming Hamas from an amateur guerrilla group into a sophisticated army. He has played a key role in the development of the tunnel system under Gaza, which allows for planning, training, and organization away from Israeli surveillance. His survival and influence depend on keeping the tunnels secure from Israeli forces.
The Politics of Meat in France
Meat consumption in France is deeply ingrained in the national identity and tradition, with steak being considered a classic menu option. However, there is a growing trend of reducing meat consumption due to concerns about health and climate change. The association of meat-eating with politics has emerged, with debates on whether it is possible to be left-wing while still consuming meat. Some left-wing leaders, like Fabien Roussel, have faced criticism for their consumption of meat, with opponents arguing that meat is symbolically linked to male virility. The French government, prompted by health and environmental concerns, acknowledges the need to reduce cattle farming to meet net-zero commitments. However, steak still holds cultural significance, even as consumption decreases.
As country after country in the Sahel has fallen prey to coups, President Macky Sall’s Senegal seemed an outpost of stability. Yet our correspondent finds him less than sanguine about democracy in the region. We sift through what little is known about “the Phantom”, the Hamas fighter behind the attacks in Israel (11:57). And eating steak fritesgets political in France (19:47).
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