Despite Senegal’s democratic reputation after the Senegalese Democratic Party unseated the Socialists in 2000, the regime actually remained competitive authoritarian under President Abdoulaye Wade (2000–12). In the March presidential election, Wade lost to Macky Sall, leader of the Alliance for the Republic (APR) party. Paradoxically, Wade’s repression and pursuit of a constitutionally questionable third term fostered developments that could eventually trigger full democratization. Recent politicization of civil society has increased the scope of opposition coordination. The citizen mobilization that occurred through the Assises Nationales and the June 23 Movement (M23) may constrain Sall and help him rule with transparency.