Life is now seemingly back to normal in the streets of Dakar, with thousands of vehicles transporting their passengers to various locations and occupations. Behind that normalized activity, there are concerns, however. Meanwhile, President Macky Sall has chosen a strategic moment to speak out. 

After the historically violent protests of early June, life has returned to normal in Dakar, Senegal's political capital. Right from Blaise Diagne International Airport, the atmosphere is punctuated by hundreds of passengers arriving from various destinations. The city welcomed at least a thousand people who had come to attend the first Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) conference in Africa.  

The streets of Dakar are once again busy. This time, it is not occupied by demonstrators but with thousands of cars transporting their occupants to various destinations. Dakar is once again jammed, and drivers are once again required to be patient while driving along the Corniche, one of the city's busiest thoroughfares. In the Ngor district, one of the hotspots of the early June demonstrations, restaurants, and bars are open, beaches are crowded and people are gathering around sporting activities.

Few of those interviewed were able to explain this development. The most plausible hypothesis is that this is the eve of the Tabaski, a major Islamic celebration since 94% of the Senegalese population is Muslim and the country also hosts immigrants from predominantly Muslim countries like Guinea Conakry, Mali, and Gambia.

President Macky Sall has yet to make a statement concerning the situation but, he promised to do so by the end of the month after he is briefed on the investigations initiated by his government. Meanwhile, the victims (both demonstrators and law enforcement officers) of the clashes remain inconsolable.

There is no unified reason for the demonstrations that caused so much pain. Some of the demonstrators say the condemnation of Ousmane Sonko, their "leader", is simply "intolerable". "He hasn't done anything, it's a political manipulation to prevent him from standing in the next [presidential]  elections. We, the youth, no longer want Macky Sall's government, and we can't be denied the right to have another leader," says Cissé, a young resident of the Ngor district.

For others, it's a matter of principle. "We know that Macky Sall has done a good job, and I'm not a follower of Ousmane Sonko, but Senegal has remained faithful to the principle of a presidential term limited to two terms for years, and that shouldn't change for one person," says Fall, an executive working in Dakar.

Most people say they understand the protests, even if they condemn the involvement of violent groups and looters. They point to rising inequality, the country's rising cost of living, and limited opportunities. Everyone hopes that a peaceful solution can be found to the current crisis and many of them want President Macky Sall to speak out on the situation. 

The context and timing chosen for Macky Sall's address will provide an opportunity for more effective communication. Senegal will be in a festive and pious period, accompanied by the coming of the rainy season, which brings a milder climate (less hot), but also difficult floods that often reinforce national solidarity. 

Overall, Sonko's fate remains unknown. Many of the young people who support him say they are ready to defend him to the end, but so far, attempts at mediation with the President have not resulted in any official statements. In Dakar, most residents are quietly preparing to face a new wave of social crisis and defend themselves against possible looters.