A 44-year-old Senegalese political upstart is emerging as a real contender to Macky Sall, the incumbent, in Sunday’s presidential election.

Sonko the youngest contestant in the race has struck a chord with the Senegalese youth and others clamouring for change. The former tax inspector made a name for himself in 2016 when he became a whistle-blower exposing the corrupt practices in the Senegalese elite. Sonko has labelled the Senegalese political class as “corrupt Uncle Toms who have sold out to foreign interests.”

He catalogued the corrupt practices of the elite in his 2016 book Oil and Gas in Senegal – Chronicle of  corruption where he accused Macky Sall and his brother Alioune Sall of systemic and widespread embezzlement of state funds. The book was banned by a presidential decree for breach of the civil service code.

“Those who have led Senegal from the start deserve to be shot,” Sonko told supporters in a video that went viral last year triggering an uproar in the corridors of power and rebuked from the government spokesperson, Seydou Gueye, for promoting violence.

Sonko’s youth plays to his advantage in a country where more than 60 per cent of the population is under 25 and anxious for change. His party, the Patriots of Senegal for Work, Ethics and Fraternity (PASTEF), has become the rallying point for disaffected youths who wants a new kind of politics in one of Africa’s most stable democracy.

‘‘What Sonko represents today is not only hope for the Senegalese people, but also for the youth in particular because, as is often said, there is politics before Sonko and politics during Sonko,” said PASTEF party activist, Aliou Sow.

Sonko is campaigning for the non-use of the CFA franc and a different governance, based on transparency and solidarity. 

According to the November survey which was conducted before the candidates list was finalised,  Sonko’s electoral support surged by 15 per cent.  However, official opinion polls are banned ahead of elections.

Sonko, who has a large social media following and seen as a beacon of hope, is aiming to upend the Senegalese political class in Sunday’s presidential elections.

‘‘One of the first programmes to address, if I were to be elected, is the reconstruction of the “Emile Badiane Bridge”. Look at the state of this bridge… We will not wait to experience a second tragedy like the one of the boat “La Joola,” he told a gathering of supporters at a rally in Dakar.

However, the incumbent President Macky Sall said he is confident of winning a second term.  He is campaigning on his achievements and has highlighted his economic record and hopes to put in place what he called phase two of his programme if re-elected.

Analysts say, the disqualification of veteran politician, Karim Wade of the Senegalese Democratic Party and former mayor of Dakar, Khalifa Sall could likely make this a reality.