Will the Senegalese people vote for Wade?
His opponents are accusing him of corruption and electoral fraud. Some believe that, at 86 or 90, he might be too old. Yet, Abdoulaye Wade is considered by many as the representative of God on earth. Radio Nederlands Worldwide (RNW) correspondents have interviewed journalist and political observer, Babacar Justin Ndiaye, in Dakar.
By Maty Ndeye and Sophie van Leeuwen
Why do the Senegalese people vote for Wade?
“The Senegalese people vote according to their choices. President Wade is the leader of a party which was founded in 1974 and that is remarkable. He has spent twenty-six years of political struggle, trying to get to power and thereby strengthening democracy in the process. People have not forgotten his rather courageous and patient journey”.
“Wade has also built and kept a close circle of ardent supporters which represent his first pool of voters. He has a second pool made of members drafted from the Socialist Party, the runner-up of the 2000 elections. He also has unmatched financial capabilities, compared to the other candidates. After all, he is the head of state and, as such, has access to secret funds. He also has the power of the decree, by which he appoints ministers, ambassadors, general managers and other chairmen of boards. In short, he is a distributor privileges”.
“In a developing country, when one has control over the secret funds and the power of the decree, meaning the power to change lives, one practically becomes like the representative of God on earth. That could explain why the president is unrealistically seeking another seven-year term that would see him celebrate his hundredth birthday as the president of the country. To be polite, let me just say that it is absurd”.
Wade has recently visited a suburb of Dakar. What has he done for the residents of that suburb?
“The suburb is not a no-go area. Wade and all the other candidates are free to go there. That said, Wade has failed to deal with floods in the area. Worse, the most notable realisations of his regime are concentrated in places other than the suburbs. Nevertheless, his party has relatively strong bastions in the suburbs, led by prominent men and women like National Assembly president Mamadou Seck and Minister Aminata Lo”.
What about the accusations of fraud and corruption?
“Elections in Senegal are usually very contested. There is great room for improvement with regards to the electoral system, which is constantly being perfected. We are seeking a consensus that can rarely be found, but we have to make do and bring a fair share of sincerity into the political game”.
“However, these presidential elections come under the worst circumstances. The contestation of President Wade’s candidature has culminated in street protests and political tensions. At the helm, Wade has raised the salaries of a handful of magistrates, some of whom are part of the organisation of the elections. Hence the controversy that exposed shady deals which are synonym of fraud. Concerned Senegalese citizens are questioning Wade’s sudden interest in the magistrates”.
In your view, how is the electoral campaign in the 2012 presidential elections, compared to the campaigns in 2000 and 2007?
“In general, this is the most tense electoral campaign in the country’s history. There is more tension than joy. Controversy and violence have been present from the beginning”.
“The electoral campaign has been marred by verbal and physical violence. We are set for a memorable campaign, disaster wise. The worst is definitely still to come. There is potential for widespread unrest on voting day as well as on the days following the polls”.
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