Senegal: To Wade or not to Wade!

Pro-democracy activists in Senegal have taken to the streets to protest what they say are the government’s attempts to perpetuate the current regime. President Abdoulaye Wade was elected in 2000 and has since been plagued by allegations of corruption, restrictions of civil liberties, fiscal mismanagement, and nepotism.

His opponents claim that under the current constitution, Wade is ineligible to run for a third term. They also contend that at age 85, he is too old to govern effectively.

The president had suggested a number of constitutional changes that critics say would ease his re-election, including changing term requirements, lowering the number of votes needed to take office, and allowing a vice-president to run on the same ticket. According to opponents, the latter initiative would effectively ensure that his son Karim Wade would inherit the office of the presidency from his father. Karim currently serves as a high-level minister in Wade’s cabinet.

Following a round of protests in June, Abdoulaye Wade bowed to activists’ demands. He agreed not to seek reelection, and backed away from proposed changes to the constitution. However, shortly after he restated his intention to run, sparking another round of protests.

The election is scheduled for February 2012, though Wade argues he could legally hold a snap election. The opposition claims that such an election would find Senegal’s political parties unprepared for the vote, ensuring a Wade victory.

The most recent wave of protests began after police arrested the Senegalese pro-democracy activist and musician Thiat, whose real name is Omar Touré. Touré was detained after calling President Wade “old” and a “liar,” though he was released after spending one night in prison. Thiat is a musician with the Senegalese activist rap group “Y’en A Marre,” or “Enough is Enough.”

The activist musician Thiat joins the programme from Dakar via Skype to discuss the state of Senegalese democracy and field questions about a possible “African Spring.” In the studio, Egyptian blogger Dalia Ziada will be joining the conversation a guest host.

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