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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
 Posted - 07 Mar 2012 : 20:47:28
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FOROYAA NEWS;
"The establishment of a two term limit is now a reality in Senegal. The fact that the people could put so much determination to combat a loophole being exploited by President Abdoulaye Wade to have a third term has given double assurance that the Constitution will not undergo further changes to maintain a person in office for more than two terms.
The strategic objective of the popular movement in Senegal was to ensure that the Presidential elections is postponed and the incumbent given a transitional mandate to wind up his rule and prepare for a free and fair election without his participation as a Candidate. The protest movement however started in an extremely confrontational manner resulting in injuries death and loss of properties. The Campaign period was marked by confrontation between the protesters and the security forces. Many wondered whether the confrontation would intensify to prevent voting from taking place. The decisive factor has been the position of the opposition. The key candidates in the camp of the opposition expressed their determination to participate in the elections. They wanted Wade to be stopped from participation but insisted that they would participate in the elections. The Senegalese opposition were united by their resolve to stop President Wade from standing for the third time but were divided on the issue of participation. Consequently, the June 23 Movement which pioneered the non- partisan protest to prevent the third term bid of President Wade could not take a unilateral action to call for a boycott of the elections. Hence it took a centrist position of leaving the different candidates to motivate their supporters to do what they deemed fit.
This provided a fertile ground for the mediation efforts of the AU and ECOWAS representatives, that is, ex President Obasanjo. The mediation effort had given rise to two complementary positions as Senegal went to the polls on Sunday 26th February 2012.
The Pre-voting position is to postpone the elections, allow a transitional arrangement that would be marked by constitutional and electoral reform and the holding of elections without the participation of President Wade. The Post- voting position is to allow the elections to take place in a peaceful atmosphere and pin down President Wade, if he is indeed the winner, to agree to a two year transition that would witness constitutional and electoral reform and free and fair elections after the transition.
Apparently, a consensus has built up to a point that as we go to Press the turn out in the elections is being described as beyond expectation. The atmosphere is also relatively calm. Foroyaa is monitoring the events and will draw final lessons from the developments.
As it stands it is very clear that the two term limit is now here to stay in Senegal. It is a fact of history that no other leader in the history of the politics in Senegal will ever serve more than two terms. If President Wade succeeds it would go on record to be the last president in Senegalese political history who has served more than two terms. In fact some political leaders like Moustapha Niasse are even offering to serve one five year term and lead Senegal to build truly democratic institutions and culture.
Readers would recall that in the Presidential Elections in the Gambia such offers served as a platform for the United Front. This means that the duty to build democratic institutions and culture is becoming a unifying factor across party and ideological boundaries. Africa is ready for a Democratic Awakening in the 21st Century, just as it did to push the agenda for Self Determination and Independence. There is no future for President for life and monarchies on the African Continent."
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Edited by - kobo on 07 Mar 2012 20:49:06 |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 07 Mar 2012 : 20:51:36
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FOROYAA NEWS;
"Senegal did not burn to ashes. The security forces were powerless in bringing order through the batons, plastic bullets and tear gas canisters and hot water. Despite the tense atmosphere the military did not take over. The people were in the majority and were conscious of the fact that power belongs to them. Hence they established a solid alliance across ideological, party and regional considerations. The June 23 movement became established as a civil society sector which brought everyone onboard to serve as an umpire of the democratic process. They transformed themselves into guardians of the Senegalese Constitution.
The institutions of the state were put to test one after the other under vigilant public scrutiny.
The first institution they put to a test was the executive. The President of the Republic was asked to keep to his word to serve only two terms. He turned to the courts to get legal backing for his determination to serve two terms. The attention of the Senegalese people and the movement focused on the Constitutional Council. The council was put to a test and ended not being able to defuse the tension that was building up when it legitimized Wade’s candidature but excluded Youssou N’Dour.
All the presidential candidates opposed to Wade joined hands with the June 23 to take to the street to discourage Wade from standing. At this point the street battles gave the impression that elections could never take place.
Wade and some of his opponents continued their campaign while many candidates and the June 23 Movement focused on preventing Wade from holding elections. The destruction of lives and properties became so intense that religious leaders, civil societies, the Ambassadors, the ECOWAS and The AU and many other persons of good will called for national dialogue.
Two options were put on the table. There was the call for the elections to be postponed and a transitional arrangement to be put in place for elections to take place without the participation of Wade. This became the major position of the June 23 movement and most of the opposition Presidential Candidates.
However some opposition candidates like Macky Sall were opposed to postponement of the elections. This gave rise to a call for Wade to be stopped at the ballot box by voting him out. This was coupled by the recommendation by the ECOWAS and AU envoy for Wade to serve only for two years if he happens to win.
The determination of the Senegalese people to stop Wade through the ballot box brought peace in the streets again. This confirms that genuine elections are a crisis prevention and management mechanism.
Attention of the June 23 movement and other forces was turned towards preventing electoral fraud. Focus was put on the electoral commission and all the presidential candidates called for peace and tranquility during the elections.
The results are now evident, after people have expressed their dissatisfaction in the media, the street and the ballot, the second round of voting has made it possible for either side to attain its objective. This is contributing to the consolidation of peace and tranquility as people have confidence that the ballot box would deliver the type of outcome they want. We hope the Gambia will learn form the advantages of a second round of voting." |
Edited by - kobo on 07 Mar 2012 20:52:14 |
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