Senegal’s opposition to boycott election
April 7, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Senegal’s main opposition parties announced Friday they would
boycott June’s legislative elections over the president’s refusal to
change the electoral process.
They said they had begun
withdrawing their 15-million CFA franc (23,000-euro) deposits for the
polls, which will render their candidates ineligible to stand, ahead of
the midnight deadline for applications.
"We are going to gather
the final documents that we need to withdraw our deposits in the next
few hours," said Yero De, the spokesman for the opposition coalition
comprising the Socialist Party, LD/MPT and Rewmi parties.
"We
cannot participate in the election without holding talks with the
president (Abdoulaye Wade) on the electoral process," he told AFP.
Abdel
Kader Sabara, a delegate of the Alliances of Forces for Progress,
another opposition coalition, said: "I am in the process of completing
the process to withdraw my deposit."
On Monday, 12 opposition
leaders threatened to boycott the June 3 elections if Wade refused
their calls to revise the voter list and create an independent
structure to replace the government-appointed electoral commission.
The president, who was sworn in to a second term on Tuesday, refused to meet them but said they were free to boycott the polls.
Among
those taking part in the boycott are Idrissa Seck, Ousmane Tanor Dieng
and Moustapha Niasse, who came second, third and fourth respectively in
February’s presidential elections which Wade won with 55.9 percent of
the vote.
Only two small opposition parties — the Jef-Jel
alliance and the African Party for Democracy and Socialism (AJ/PADS) –
have said they will take part in the legislative elections.
There
was no official response to the boycott on Friday but commentators
expressed concern at the effect on democracy in Senegal, the only west
African country never to have experienced a coup d’etat.
"We are
going to ask the parties to go back on their decision. For the sake of
democracy, they must give dialogue a chance," Alioune Tine, executive
secretary of Dakar-based human rights group RADDHO, told AFP.
"The
opposition do not have the right to deprive voters of their
representation in the assembly. For his part, Wade must do everything
to ensure they are present to avoid a catastrophic regression in a
country viewed as a democratic leader in Africa."
Wade promises better future for Senegal
April 6, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Dakar, Senegal, 04/05 - President Abdoulaye Wade has
reaffirmed his determination to work for sustained
progress of Senegal during his second five-year mandate.
"The task will not be easy. It demands from all of us
a sustained effort and passion to build a new Senegal,"
he said in a radio and television broadcast Tuesday night,
on the eve of the country`s 47th independence anniversary.
According to Wade: "the vision remains unchanged today more
than ever," adding: "More than just a simple evolution, it
is a revolution of mentalities."
He called on his compatriots "to remain mobilised and united
around what is essential."
"Each Senegalese is accountable for the national destiny and
must share the dream which nurtures progress of human society"
the Senegalese leader said.
"Such is the approach that will keep guiding my choices and
action to work with you in the service of a Senegal always free
and independent, for national unity and cohesion," he added.
Senegal’s Wade starts 2nd term with airport project
April 6, 2007 | Leave a Comment
y Diadie Ba
DIASS, Senegal (Reuters) - Senegal’s President Abdoulaye Wade
marked the start of his second term on Wednesday by laying the
foundation stone of a new $460 million airport, the latest major
infrastructure project in the West African country.
"This airport is the first of the big projects I want to build
during my five-year term. Infrastructure is not a luxury for Africa, it
is a necessity for development," the octogenarian president said at an
event inaugurating work on the airport.
Wade took the oath of office for a second term on Tuesday at a
ceremony attended by almost a score of presidents from across Africa.
He won a February election in which opponents say his side bought votes
and doctored the electoral roll.
The Senegalese leader had campaigned on a pledge to create jobs and complete a major public works programme.
Much of the capital Dakar has turned into a construction site while
modern highways and hotels are built, partly for an Organisation of the
Islamic Conference summit due to be held here next year.
After presiding over a military parade marking Wednesday’s national
day celebrations, Wade inaugurated work on the new airport 45 km (28
miles) inland from Dakar, which is on a spit of land that is mainland
Africa’s most westerly point.
Saudi Binladin Group, which is owned by the estranged family of
Osama Bin Laden and has built more than two dozen airports around the
world, will lead the building consortium.
Wade said the airport would not cost the state "a penny".
Karim Wade, the president’s influential son, adviser and head of
the airport’s financing committee, said income from passenger taxes
from Dakar’s existing airport over the past two years had been kept in
an account to help finance the project.
"With the help of the Banque Marocaine pour le Commerce Exterieur
and BNP-Paribas, we have been able to mobilise nearly 350 million
euros, or around 230 billion CFA francs, on international financial
markets," he said.
Germany’s Fraport will manage the airport, in which the Senegalese
state will own a 45 percent stake, with the remaining 55 percent held
by Aeroport International Blaise Diagne (AIBD) SA, a company owned by
Senegalese investors.
Used as a hub for flights from Africa to Europe, the United States
and Brazil, Dakar’s existing airport has seen traffic grow rapidly in
recent years, but its location, surrounded by Dakar’s suburbs, limits
its potential to grow.
The new airport, named after the first black African elected to
France’s parliament in 1914, Blaise Diagne, should take 30 months to
build and have an initial capacity of 3 million passengers a year –
almost double the 1.7 million annual traffic handled by the existing
airport, a statement said.
It is also intended to attract more foreign tourists to Senegal and
fuel the growth of a planned new economic development zone outside
Dakar.
Senegal marks 47th independence
April 6, 2007 | Leave a Comment
afrol News, 4 April - Senegalese
on Wednesday converged in a colourful and symbolic ceremony in the
capital Dakar to mark their country’s 47th years of independence. On 4
April 1960, Senegal gained nationhood from France. 47 years down the
line, Senegal has proven to be one of Africa’s leading democratic
giants.
The occasion was graced by over 20 African leaders, including those from Libya, Ghana and Nigeria.
After mounting a guard of honour and march past by security forces,
President Abdoulaye Wade, delivered a brief speech. The event was also
punctuated with displays of Senegalese artistic talents in the form of
singing and dancing.
The Senegalese President expressed delight about his country’s numerous
achievements since it became independent. Mr Wade was enthusiastic
about the women’s achievements in many fields of development.
“Senegalese women have excelled in all fields of development but I am
delighted that they are now doing well in the army,” he said.
President Wade assured Senegalese to snore well during their sleep at
night because his country boasts of a “professional, well-disciplined
and talented army” who busy themselves to guarantee security in the
country.
Mr Wade thanked foreign Presidents, especially the Libyan leader,
Muamar Gaddafi, for sparing their invaluable time to wine and dine with
them Senegalese as they celebrate their national day.
Also speaking on the occasion was President Gaddafi. Dressed in western
costume, the Libyan leader commended his Senegalese counterpart for
pushing the agenda for African unity. He also saluted Mr Wade for
achieving a lot within a short period.
The 47th independence celebration followed the official swearing-in
ceremony of President Wade for a second term of office on Tuesday at
Leopold Sedar Senghor Stadium in Dakar.
The 80-year-old President swept the polls on 25 February when he
defeated 14 opposition candidates in a first round battle. The race was
declared free and fair by international observers. However, Mr Wade’s
opponents, who boycotted the Tuesday’s ceremony, said the polls have
been rigged.
© afrol News
Democracy in Dakar, Episodes 5 and 6!
March 19, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Episode 5 "Galsene: Hip Hop in Senegal" explores the history of hip-hop
culture in Senegal. From the old school MCs to the younger generation of
rappers - Episode 5 lays out the who, what, when, and where of the
hip-hop scene, and sheds light on both its political past as well as its
present state. The episode ends with the song ‘Hip-Hop’ from Pikine rap
super group - Tigrim Bi.
In Senegal all rappers have a dream. Whether that dream lives in the
spiritual, political or material realm, they all seek success and fame
in these realms. But can this dream be achieved in Senegal - a country
where the recourses are vastly limited and thousands of youth die every
year trying to flee to Europe in small boats? Episode 6 - "The African
Dream" addresses this question, and the desire for rappers in Senegal to
export their music and live abroad. Featuring an interview (and
freestyle) with legend Didier Awadi (of Positive Black Soul fame) and
the track "Fresh Time Pt 1" by Zoo Squad off the album African
Underground: Depths of Dakar.
Statement on President Abdoulaye Wade’s Re-Election in Senegal
March 14, 2007 | Leave a Comment
The United States congratulates President Abdoulaye Wade on his
re-election victory in Senegal’s elections last month. We further
commend the people of the Republic of Senegal for their unprecedented
high voter turnout. Their involvement is a testament to Senegal’s
commitment to a healthy democratic system. The United States stands
with the Senegalese people on this occasion and will continue to support
their efforts to build a safe and prosperous democracy.
Democracy in Dakar, Episode 4: Wade wins
March 14, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Democracy in Dakar, Episode 4 - "Wade Wins". This episode shows the calm after the storm. A very eerie calm indeed as all of Dakar seems stunned by the election results, where Wade has seemed to have won 56% of the vote. This episode shows the calm on the streets and some incisive interviews with journalists and artists.
Gaston bring their appropriate and haunting track "Wallo" to this episode, as well as participate in a deep interview.
Also featured are interviews with Keyti, Rose Skelton, Serigne Ndiaye, Pape Guey and Matador.
Court rejects Senegal election fraud appeal
March 14, 2007 | Leave a Comment
afrol News, 12 March - Senegal’s
highest judicial authority, the Constitutional Court, yesterday
rejected an appeal filed by some opposition leaders to annul the
results of the 25 February presidential polls. The court consequently
confirmed the re-election of President Abdoulaye Wade, who polled 55.9
percent of the valid ballots.
A panel of constitutional judges, who
disclosed their verdict to the media, ruled out any "cheating or
irregularity" in the conduct of the polls, arguing that the opposition
petitions "lacked grounds."
At the polls, Mr Wade was followed by his former Prime Minister,
Idrissa Secka, who scored 15 percent of the votes. Mr Seck had been
quiet since the results were first declared.
But he convened a news conference today to finally concede defeat as
well as congratulate President Wade on his victory. The former Prime
Minister was not among the opposition that questioned fairness of the
results.
Mr Wade, who had earlier announced to settle scores with some
opposition leaders, accusing them of harming the state through official
corruption, said he does not care about Mr Seck’s congratulatory
message. Mr Wade wondered why Mr Seck would wait until last minute to
congratulate him.
President Wade accused Mr Seck of stealing over franc CFA 40 billion
(euro 60 million) from the state coffers and to have deposited them in
foreign banks accounts.
President Wade said he had forgiven all those who harmed him personally
but that he would not forgive those who harmed the country. He said he
was waiting for the elections to pass so that the state resumes its
normal life.
The leaders of Socialist Party (PS) and Democratic League/Movement for
the Labour Party (LD/MLP) - Ousmane Tanor Dieng and Abdoulaye Bathily -
had filed the appeal against the provisional results, insisting that
the voting process was marred by irregularities, although international
observers had not questioned the outcome of the polls.
While Mr Dieng ranked third position with 13.57 percent, Mr Bathily sat
on the sixth position with only 2.21 percent of the votes.
The PS spokesperson, Aissata Tall-Sall, said she was disappointed with
the court’s decision because "our arguments were absolutely
indisputable because the results from 31 of the 35 regional districts
failed to tally, for they were contained in ballot boxes without stamps
of the Autonomous National Electoral Commission."
She said her party leadership had expected the nullification of the results and not the other way round.
By staff writer
© afrol News
Senegal’s Wade hopes to build nuclear power plant
March 13, 2007 | Leave a Comment
DAKAR - Wade, who won a second five-year term in a landslide "It was not just a statement he made during the Power shortages continue to hamper economic development Despite increasing world interest in nuclear power as an They say large regional markets for nuclear power need to Grand infrastructure projects such as a new coastal
Senegal’s newly re-elected President Abdoulaye Wade has contacted
foreign experts to advise on building a nuclear power plant, part of an
ambitious programme to develop the country’s creaking infrastructure.
re-election last month, has already started building new five-star
hotels and airports in the West African country and has plans for
museums, theatres and a nuclear plant.
campaign," one of his advisers, Christian Sina Diatta, told
pro-government daily newspaper Le Soleil in today’s edition. "It’s an
option the head of state has been working on for some time and he has
already been in contact with nuclear powers who are behind Senegal," he
said. He gave no details on which countries had been contacted for
advice.
across sub-Saharan Africa. In Senegal, one of the most stable countries
in West Africa, regular blackouts - some of them lasting more than 10
hours - forced the government to requisition oil stocks late last year.
alternative to coal and oil-powered generation, massive costs and a
lack of specialists could scupper Africa’s nuclear ambitions, at least
in the medium term, energy experts say.
be developed before such big investments become viable. If Wade’s plan
comes to fruition, it could be energy-starved Africa’s first nuclear
power plant outside SA. Egypt, Nigeria and Tunisia have also announced
intentions to build nuclear power stations in the long term.
highway around the capital Dakar and the promise of new schools helped
Wade win re-election in the February 25 polls, although many of the
city’s rubbish-strewn suburbs are mired in poverty.
Senegal election authority declares Wade official winner of presidency
March 12, 2007 | Leave a Comment
DAKAR, Senegal:
Senegal’s electoral authorities on Sunday confirmed President Abdoulaye
Wade as the winner of last month’s election, rejecting charges of
cheating and officially giving the octogenarian president five more
years at the helm of the West African nation.
Wade won with about 1.9 million votes, or 56 percent of valid
ballots, compared with 15 percent for runner-up Idrissa Seck, declared
Senegal’s constitutional council — the final authority on elections.
The winning candidate needed more than 50 percent of the vote to avoid
a runoff.
The council also rejected claims by two of the 14 opposition
candidates that irregularities in the voting process should invalidate
the results. Marxist candidate Abdoulaye Bathily, who finished sixth
with 2 percent of the vote, had said some ballots were not properly
signed by election officials and that voting continued for five hours
after the polls officially closed on the night of Feb. 25.
Ousmane Tanor Dieng, who finished third with about 14 percent of the
total, had also asked for annulment of the vote, though his campaign
did not release his specific complaints.
The petitions by the candidates were "without foundation," said
chief clerk Ndeye Maguette Mbengue. He did not provide further details.
