Senegal: after the ’empty baskets’ march, anger over high living costs grows

On Saturday, the movement against the high cost of living in Senegal took a decisive step forward as dozens of demonstrators gathered in Dakar for the ‘March of Empty Baskets,’ part of the broader ’30 Days for a Fair Price’ campaign. Starting from the Castors neighborhood, the procession wound its way to the Jet-d’Eau roundabout, where participants voiced their frustration over soaring prices for food, housing, and electricity.

The protesters cleverly used empty baskets, bowls, and kitchen utensils as symbols of the struggles many households face in covering daily expenses. Their signs and chants highlighted key grievances: the escalating cost of staple foods, the burden of rent, and the rising electricity bills, particularly under the prepaid Woyofal system.

Online campaign spills onto the streets

What began as an online outcry a few days earlier quickly transformed into tangible action. The ’30 Days for a Fair Price’ campaign was launched by a coalition of consumers and content creators determined to shine a light on the economic squeeze and push for measures to protect purchasing power.

Prior to the march, the movement had reportedly rallied over 3,000 supporters online, with calls for a gradual boycott of overpriced goods. Influencer Bathie Drizzy, one of the campaign’s co-founders, emphasized its apolitical nature, stating, ‘No political figure stands behind us.’ He clarified that the goal is simply to alert authorities to the daily hardships faced by ordinary citizens.

Rising prices fuel widespread anger

The campaign taps into very real concerns. For instance, the price of beef has climbed from around 4,000 CFA francs per kilogram to as much as 5,500 CFA francs in some markets, while mutton has reached 7,000 CFA francs at certain outlets. These are just a few examples of the cost pressures affecting Senegalese families.

But the discontent extends beyond food. Protesters also pointed to the escalating costs of rent and electricity, broadening the movement’s appeal and turning it into a wider call for economic relief rather than a narrow protest over specific items.

Political reactions emerge

The march did not go unnoticed in political circles. Aldiouma Sow, described as an adviser to President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, took to Facebook to criticize the mobilization sharply, urging young participants to focus on work rather than protest. He dismissed the movement as ‘populist messianism.’

While this reaction does not represent an official government stance, it signals that the protest is beginning to stir responses from within the presidential camp. Meanwhile, the high cost of living continues to dominate headlines in Senegal’s press this Monday, indicating that the issue is far from fading.

Organizers vow to press on

The ’30 Days for a Fair Price’ collective views Saturday’s march not as a one-off event but as the start of sustained action. Following the demonstration, they praised the turnout and promised to continue their efforts. The question now is whether this campaign can maintain momentum and elicit concrete responses from the government.

Interestingly, the government has recently acknowledged the importance of addressing purchasing power, prices, and rents. At the Council of Ministers meeting on September 2, officials called for stronger price control mechanisms and faster rent regulation. The ’empty baskets’ protest thus unfolds against a backdrop where street pressure and government announcements intersect on the same issue: the daily budgets of Senegalese households.

A movement to watch closely

For now, the protest is largely driven by ordinary citizens and social media personalities, lacking the structure of a formal political movement. However, its potential should not be underestimated. It touches on fundamental concerns—food, shelter, electricity, and overall purchasing power—that resonate with a vast segment of the population. Unlike typical political squabbles, the ’empty baskets’ question is refreshingly straightforward: how much does it truly cost to live in Senegal today, and what can the government do to make ends meet easier for its people?