Time in politics has its own physics, but in Senegal, it has just settled into a worrying stasis. For the past ten days, the Republic has been holding its breath, suspended on unseen decisions. Following the dismissal of Ousmane Sonko and the appointment, a few days later, of his successor Ahmadou Al Amine Lô as Prime Minister, the country presents the disconcerting spectacle of a leaderless government at the sectoral level. While the continuity of the state is technically ensured by the dedication of the secretaries-general and directors of administration, the reality is stark: Senegal is in a state of lethargy. The administration manages day-to-day operations; it no longer provides impetus. Current affairs are dealt with quickly, but the political vision has ground to a halt.

This prolonged vacancy raises even more questions, as it cannot be dismissed as mere inexperience. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye is no longer the novice executor he was in the early days of April 2024. With two years of experience in government, the head of the executive branch now has a firm grasp of the inner workings of the senior civil service and the profiles of its members. A president doesn't discover his team on the day of a reshuffle. Through meetings, cross-cutting issues, and international summits, he identifies potential candidates, assesses loyalties, and weighs up competences.

All the ingredients for a high-level governmental architecture are therefore gathered on the table:

* The reappointment of former ministers who have proven their effectiveness;

* The promotion of legitimate political figures from the majority coalition;

* The use of behind-the-scenes, apolitical and rigorous technocrats, who make our public service resilient.

So why this unreasonable wait? Why this subtle but paralyzing game of "making ourselves desired" when national emergencies are rumbling at the Republic's gates? Senegal does not have the luxury of suspended time.

The rainy season is fast approaching, bringing with it the recurring threat of flooding and the pressing needs of rural areas. The construction projects for the Youth Olympic Games (YOG), an international showcase of our sporting sovereignty, are awaiting firm decisions from the government. Our ambitions for the FIFA World Cup, along with dozens of pressing socio-economic issues, are currently on hold, sacrificed to murky political maneuvering and partisan calculations.

This contrast in institutional timing borders on paradox, not to say irony. It took the National Assembly only a flash to reinstate Ousmane Sonko as a member of parliament and propel him to the presidency. When pure politics and the distribution of power demands it, the state apparatus can act with surgical precision. But when it comes to assembling the task force responsible for addressing the anxieties of the Senegalese people, the pace slows, the steps drag.

The vitality of a democracy is not measured solely by the regularity of its elections or the dynamism of its debates. It is primarily judged by the uninterrupted functioning of its institutions and their absolute reliability. A country the size of Senegal cannot afford the luxury of autopilot when facing major systemic challenges. In politics, inaction is a mistake; inaction, a surrender.

The time for hushed, backroom deals is over; now is the time for action. The situation is serious.