Abdoulaye Niang calls for civil society autonomy in Senegal

Sociologist Abdoulaye Niang has called for Senegalese and African civil society organizations to achieve greater autonomy by distancing themselves from political parties and foreign funding.

Speaking at the general assembly of the Collectif africain de la paix (CAP), Niang argued that current civil society trajectories are often dictated by partisan logic and short-term financial opportunities. He warned that dependence on external donors creates a “logic of financial subordination” that leaves organizations vulnerable to agendas that may not align with local needs.

Niang emphasized that true sovereignty for civil society lies in its relationship with the grassroots. He urged organizations to adopt funding models that ensure independence and to recognize only the authority of the community when defining their priorities and public policy positions.