Nation in Turmoil, What Next?

FOROYAA Newspaper (Serrekunda)

24 June 2011

editorial

The coming into office of President Wade of Senegal was expected to mark a break with Senegal’s political past. No one could have expected that on 23 June 2011, houses, cars and tyres would have been put on flames as a sign of protest against constitutional changes aimed at promoting self perpetuating rule.

President Wade came into office after President Senghor had established the dominance of his party from 1960 to 1980 and handed over to his handpicked successor President Abdou Joof in 1981. He was in office for almost three years before election was held in 1983.

Abdou Joof won all subsequent elections from 1981 to 1998. He lost the 1999 Presidential election to Abdoulie Wade.

From 2000 to 2011 President Wade had been running the affairs of the Senegalese state. Initially, the President used to serve 7 year terms. President Wade served one 7 year term. The constitution was amended to introduce two five year term limits.

President Wade has insisted that the first 7 year term does not count under the new constitutional provision. He is arguing that he still has one more term to serve. This is already a big controversy in Senegal.

Before this controversy is resolved, his executive came up with a bill which is designed to eliminate the provision that calls for the attainment of more than 50 percent of the votes cast before one could become a President and reduce the margin to 25 percent. Secondly, there was the plan to introduce the office of Vice President who would succeed the President in case of vacancy in the office.

“Thousands of opposition supporters, political leaders and civil society activists in Senegal, on Thursday morning gathered at the country’s National Assembly complex to protest against what they call a constitutional coup d’état against the will of the Senegalese people. The city centre was cut off as protesters set fire to vehicles, tyres and threw stones at riot police.

“Opposition parties and civil society organizations called for a protest march on Thursday when the Senegalese parliament was set to debate the proposed constitutional changes that would reduce the need for election run-offs.

“Protesters stormed the Senegalese National Assembly building saying that none of the parliamentarians will enter the Assembly building. Police clashed with protesters outside of the national Assembly. Mr. Alioune Tine President of RADDHO, a regional human rights organisation and several other people are reported to have been seriously injured. “

According to reliable sources, President Wade has now bowed down to the wishes and demands of the protesters and has retracted the proposed amendments to the constitution.

The Senegalese President needs to go beyond simply backing down. He should call for a National Conference of all stake holders to review what has happened and come up with a transitional programme that will enable him to bequeath to the future generation a more democratic, stable, united and prosperous Senegal than he the one inherited. He must recall that he is the first person to witness the democratic and peaceful handover of power from one party to another. He should leave a legacy that should be remembered with appreciation. He is now racing against age and time. We hope wisdom shall be his guide.

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