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Momodou
Denmark
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 Posted - 27 Feb 2007 : 13:38:57
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FINAL DAY OF PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN IN SENEGAL
Fifteen candidates for the 2007 Presidential Election of Senegal have concluded their campaign trails on Friday the 23nd day of February, 2007. Senegal has 5 million registered voters, including those in the Diaspora. The fifteen candidates are Abdoulaye Wade, Abdoulaye Bathily, Mamadou Lamine Diallo, Robert Sagna, Cheikh Bamba Dieye, Me Mam Adama Geuye, Talla Sylla, Idrissa Seck, Ousman Tanor Dieng, Louis Jacques Senghor, Moustapha Niasse, Modou Dia, Landing Savane, Alioune Petit Mbaye and Dodou Ndoye. The candidates are permitted to hold meetings until 12 midnight and leave Saturday period as laid down by the electoral commission. Some of the the candidates cautioned their supporters to respect the rule of law for the maintenance of peace and tranquility and avoid the reoccurence of the Wednesday incident between the militants of Idrissa Secka and loyalists of Cheikh Bethio Thioune,a mouride Serigne.
WADE PROMISES PEASANTS
Abdoulaye Wade entered Dakar with his convoy on Friday after the conclusion of his provincial tour to hold his final meeting in Dakar.
Addressing a rally in Dakar, Wade called on all the candidates to accept the verdict of the ballot box. Wade told his adversaries to preach peace for harmony on polling day. The candidate of PDS, the Coalition Sopi 2007 promised Senegal of realising his dream in two years. Closing his election campaign with a mega-meeting, Addoulaye Wade said he does not doubt his victory in the evening of February 25.
"Nobody will create situations of disorder. I will not accept it. I have the authority and responsibility to ensure order and the security of the Senegalese people," said Wade. He cautioned his militants to go and to put their bulletins in the ballot boxes and avoid provocations.
Citing a proverb in Wolof, he said "when a pretty jewellery is put on, one does not quarrel with somebody who does not have anything around the neck". He pointed out that taking into account what he did in Senegal, in Africa and abroad, will become known to the people when the results are out, which will be the future of Senegal. "I will speak to the people about Senegal on Sunday", said Wade. He said after the Organisation of Islamic Conference, Dakar will certainly be one of the most beautiful capitals of our continent.
In 2008, he said Senegal would have beautiful constructions, in particular, 5 star hotels to accommodate tourists and foreigners. "You will see in two years an express train which will bring you to Diamniadio in a few minutes", stated Wade. He promised that Senegal would begin an agriculture project to produce bio carburant; that in two years, Senegal will be the only steel producer in West Africa. Abdoulaye Wade said that he would continue to work for Africa. He said the money to develop Africa exists; there is necessity to know and seek it. Referring to young people, Wade said that his government of alternation is not against the emigration, but want Senegalese who will go to France, Spain or elsewhere to leave with valid documents. "Then my dear young people refuse to go to die at the bottom of the oceans".
SECK VOWS TO SUPPORT ANY BEST PLACED CANDIDATE
Idrissa Seck the candidate of the Coalition And Ligguèy Senegal speaking on the waves of Sud FM, intimated that in the event of second round if he did not capture the position he will support the candidate of any opposition best placed against Wade.
Politically speaking, he said, in spite of the many meetings, which they had, Wade is a dangerous man for Senegal.
Analysts said those who believed that the pipe of peace had been smoked between them or that the clouds had been completely dissipated between the President of the Republic and his Ex-Prime Minister, Idrissa Seck after a series of meetings, will be disappointed.
Regarding the violence that occurred last Wednesday, Idrissa Seck holds Wade responsible for masterminding it. He said is it Wade who orchestrated the plan of eliminating him.
"I do not consider any person in charge of anything else for something. There is only one of them. All the others are instruments of execution" alleged Seck.
Idy registered these scenes of violence within the framework of the diagram of elimination of his person. According to Idrissa Seck, the renewal of the tension between him and Wade came owing to the fact that his last dream be (he) Idrissa Seck not being a candidate for the presidential election of February 25, 2007. #
BATCHILY ON WADE'S ALLEGED PLANS TO BE VICTORIOUS AT ANY COST
The candidate of Jubanti Senegal Abdoulaye Bathily said that the passage of Abdoulaye Wade to the first tower of presidential election on Sunday would lead the country in chaos. Speaking at the Stade Iba Mar Diop, in Medina, Dakar, Bathily said he is in possession of information which reveals that a 'masquerade' is in the making for the installation of fictitious offices in the country by the members of the coalition Sopi 2007. He said Wade is trying with all measures to organize a masquerade and to proclaim himself elected in the first round.
"We will not accept the results which will leave these fictitious offices. I warn Abdoulaye Wade solemnly if he acts like that, he will be responsible for the plunging of Senegal in turmoil. He said Wade wants to be proclaimed victorious candidate without difficulty on Sunday evening. He warned Wade of the dangers which will emanate from such situation. He called on the international community to take note.
Abdoulaye Bathily said Wade has already lost Sunday's presidential election and as in 2000, he must agree like his predecessor and respect the verdict of the ballot boxes. "Any attempt of President Wade proclaiming himself victorious, in the first round, will be followed by great response," said Bathily.
He lengthily addressed his militants, supporters and sympathisers who were putting on pink scarves, caps and dresses on the importance of an election in a democracy. He told the crowd to vote massively for the departure of Wade's regime.
A system, which, according to Bathily made Senegalese sink in extreme suffering during these last seven years. "Our coalition made a tour of Senegal and everywhere we went, the report remained the same: The Senegalese are extremely tired. The regime of Abdoulaye Wade wasted the money of the Senegalese and has give rise to extreme poverty within the households", said Abdoulaye Bathily.
ROBERT SAGNA ON HIS COALITION TAKU DEFARAT SENEGAL
Holding his final meeting in his stronghold, Ziguinchor, Robert Sagna explaining what motivates him to contest as a President candidate outlined his main concerns for prevailing peace in Casamance. The candidate of Coalition Takku Defarat Senegal reiterated that one of his major concerns is the restoration of peace in Casamance. He told the Casamançais to regard themselves as Senegalese, to claim for the same rights and have the same duties. He said if elected, he will devote an invaluable time to the Casamance which suffered so much and in need of peace. Robert Sagna promised to place the Casamançaise in the topmost of his agenda. Robert Sagna said he counts on all Casamançais whose conjugation of their efforts will result in peace. He also count on men and women of Casamance to achieve this goal of the rehabilitation of peace for peace and prosperous Senegal. The solution, according to him, is to find a solution to the problem so that Casamance finds its lasting peace. He expressed his confidence that Takku defarat Senegal will bring better changes in Senegal, a change that will bring about justice. Dilating on the value of justice, Robert Sagna said his party will work for the re-establishment of the values of justice in Senegal as left by President Léopold Sédar Senghor. He said under his administration as head of the coalition Takku defarat Senegal, they aim at a system where the civil servants will not be victims of exclusion. He said the drivers, the orderlies and the poor under his administration would be men and women of worth and respected on the soil of Senegal, a country in which, he said he wishes also to re-establish the values of solidarity, in accordance with the ideals defended by social democracy.
MOUSTAPHA NIASSE'S VISIT TO MEDINA GOUNASS
Moustapha Niasse the candidate of the Coalition Alternance 2007, paid a surprise visit to Médina Gounas on Friday, 60 km from Vélingara. The former Prime Minister left by plane for Tamba, before continuing the journey by vehicle, in a very discrete place, and is said to have met the young brother of the Khalife and some religious dignitaries. There are doubts whether Niasse had gone to request the active support of the Tidjane family of Médina Gounass. According to sources, from the tomb of the first Khalife of the place Thierno Mouhamad Said Bah, and that of his/her maternal uncle Thierno Ousmane Thiam, the candidate of the coalition Alternance refused to talk to the press about the issue. A source said his only word was "If I am here, it is to greet the marabout and to visit the tomb of my late uncle, then received by the khalife, Thierno Abdoul Aziz Bah". Sources went further to say that his meeting with Abdoul Aziz Bah is not fortuitous owing to the fact that this religious dignitary is recognized as a true `maker of king' in the locality. The source said after having taken leave of the taalibe militant, the president of the rural council of Médina Gounass specified that no watchword was given the taalibe to vote for such or to such other candidate.
OUSMANE TANOR DIENG ENDS HIS CAMPAIGN IN PARCELLES ASSAINIES
The candidate of PS (Partie Socialiste), Ousmane Tanor Dieng chose Parcelles Assaines to conclude his election campaign. Addressing his final rally, near the car park of Stade Léopold Sédar Senghor, Ousmane Tanor Dieng, pointed out to the gathering that Sunday will be another important day in the life of Senegal as a nation. "We have an image to safeguard, that of a country where the democracy is advanced. We should not miss this go with history", said Tanor. According to him, no voice must miss, because each Senegalese of voting age must discharge his or her civic duty. He said the government must take its responsibilities by organizing transparent, free and fair elections. The socialist candidate solicited each political leader to speak to their militants. According to Ousmane Tanor Dieng, they must do everything so that there is no (dialgati) violation by taking care and making sure that the rule of law is respected. He vowed to review the Constitution in order to restore the values of the Republic. He said the journalists will enjoy freedom of expression and improved working conditions. While claiming to have respect for his opponents in the presidential election, he said the essence of the vote is determined by the choice of the voter.
ALIOUNE PETIT MBAYE MANIFESTS OPTIMISM
Alioune Petit Mbaye an independent candidate in his Liberté VI meeting proclaimed victory in the presidential election of February 2007. Alioune Petit Mbaye arrived around 7 p.m. at the football field of the Sicap-Liberé VI where he held his meeting attended by an enthusiastic audience.
He said at the end of the poll of Sunday, President Wade will leave the palace and he as the candidate of youth, hope and qualified dynamism will take the mantle of power of the country. "Senegal does not need a generational alternation but, rather a generational rupture. According to him, Abdoulaye Wade and its putative son Idrissa Seck orchestrated and always continue to orchestrate deals at the back of the Senegalese people. The independent candidate who affirms being the junior of the Presidential battle said Ousmane Tanor Dieng, Robert Sagna, Moustapha Niasse, and others have nothing to say to the Senegalese; that they should all be put in the same bag, because they walked on the head of this country for more than twenty years, without anything to prove. He said they have all dirty hands, whereas he has clean hands. He said he has come to put his knowledge and competences at the disposal of his country.
CHEICKH BAMBA DIEYE IN ST. LOUIS
Chiekh Bamba Dieye, speaking in Saint-Louis, said the poverty that had hit the most underprivileged of Senegal should not last for another five years. On Friday Feb 23, 2007, Cheikh Bamba Diéye chose his birthplace Saint-Louis to hold his final meeting. Saint Louis had a place of choice in the history of Senegal and he would defend it; that it will be the place of the Saint-Louisiens for whatever generation. According to him, the Saint-Louisiens always were leaders in Senegal because they are learned.
They learn Koran and French very early. He asserted that Saint-Louis is where the political history of Senegal began. He said in 21 days he explained his program, his vision and the prospects which must be set up to develop Senegal.
Dieye said he travelled the whole world. He said his compatriots know that FSDBJ has a program and a vision. Deliberating on the execrable living conditions that the Senegalese live and he said that that must cease.
LANDING SAVANÉ PLEDGES TO BUILD A GOVERNMENT OF NATIONAL UNITY
At Grande-Dakar, Landing Savané addressed a big meeting where he pledged to build a government of national unity. Savane said he is ready to build a new Senegal and resolutely engage in working for a true democracy, fight against corruption as one of his priorities, but also eradication of poverty; that justice and the state of right, also remain priority axes of its program. The candidate of AndJef/Pads said he hopes, in addition, to restore the dignity of the Senegalese people by consolidating democracy and peace. He said he will also combat unemployment. He expressed readiness to work with the Senegalese who have the clean hands, for unity, to make Senegal a prosperous country.
MAMADOU LAMINE DIALLO CALLS FOR TRANSPARENT ELECTION
Mamadou Lamine Diallo, another independent candidate and leader of Tekki chose the suburbs of Guédiawaye to give his final message of the election campaign where his last meeting took place. The young people of Guédiawaye, lodged their problems to the candidate. The youths complained of the widespread incidence of malaria in the area.
In response the independent candidate said "it is not normal for the population of Guédiawaye to live under conditions worse than those of the other communities.
He promised to meet the youth of Guédiawaye in order to find solutions to their problems, shortly after its election. He also encouraged them to vote massively for his triumph. According to Mamadou Diallo, it is the advent of Tekki that something be done there for the young people must live in good conditions. He also said he is certain of his victory in the evening of February 25.
"We will not accept fraud elections. We want transparent elections because, we made a civilized campaign. "We are sure we will win the election and change the behaviour of the Senegalese and create jobs for the young people and all the social strata" he concluded.
MAME ADAMA GUÈYE
Mame Adama Geuye the candidate of Sellal with white and purple flag addressing a meeting at the Stade Alassane Djigo de Pikine said reading from the crowd the mobilisation had proved that movement is impregnated with the whole country. According to Mr. Guèye, a second round is inevitable and the Sellal will be present there. He said trying to make people believe that Wade will be elected in the first round is a dream, because PDS would not make more than 30%. He called on citizens to value their votes not to believe any more in the selfish politicians who think only of themselves and their families; that it is for this reason that the movement Sellal will win the elections. He said there are more honest men than malevolent people in Senegal. All the just ones of the country are neutral to the capacity and therefore will vote for us. The candidate of Sellal said he will support a candidate who has the highest percentage of vote for the second round.
TALLA ON GOVERNANCE ON THE BASIS OF JUSTICE
Candidate of Jëf-Jël Alliance, Talla Sylla, in a meeting to draw the curtain of the campaign for the 2007 presidential race on Friday inspired a political gathering in his district of birth, Pikine where he was accorded a triumphal reception. The Jëf-Jël Alliance candidate said he is quite simply convinced of the Senegalese desire for change. He said Wada has destroyed this country. To direct this country, one should be liked and be honest, but these people are not; therefore, those the Senegalese want for change because they are tired", stressed Talla Sylla in an indescribable clamour. He said the Jaxaay Plan did not bring anything to the town of Pikine. Today, it is clear that Abdoulaye Wade did not do anything to leave this district in its current situation. He called on the youths to rise up by putting a term limit to the reign of Abdoulaye Wade. "I will rebuild this country with all the population on the basis of justice, honesty and make Senegal a new privileged destination. It will be a country where everyone will feel like a true Senegalese. But, it will be necessary to change mentalities with respect to the money, the management of the resources of the State", he opined. The candidate of Jëf-Jël Alliance called on his militants to be calm, to observe the vote under alleviated conditions, without violence.
MODOU DIA TALKS ON EDUCATION FOR GIRLS
Modou Dia, one of the independent candidates, said he would make the regime regret their policies by sweeping the polls. Modou Dia, for the presidential election of Sunday, said in a statement on TV on Friday that Wade has nothing to do but regret if he wins the polls, because the population have seen enough of the past policies and unfulfilled promises. He added that action is what is needed now. He said the present politicians in power do not have a program. They failed and should be sorry", said Dia.
He said he would inject new blood in the mutualisation of curricular area, of health and the habitat so that the poor can have a share from the entire national cake. He also vowed to fight the illiteracy of the girls in rural communities.
LOUIS JACQUES SENGHORE OF MLPS
Louis Jacques Senghor the president of the Liberal Movement for the Senegalese People (MLPS), nephew of former president Léopold Sédar Senghor, indicated that once elected, he intends to give priority to the resolution of the problems of the rural area. "We are ready with all the levels. Nothing will stop us, because we think that with the goodwill of the Senegalese people, we will not have any difficulty", he confidently asserted. The 54 year old said MLPS is a party which militates in favour of a step of rupture as well in speech and actions. "This political good-will arises from the sickness of Senegalese democracy, from the vain attempts, for decades, to develop this country. That is the result of the combined system of the PS and of PDS which followed one another", Senghor stated. According to him, his party intends to formulate a true policy of economic and social development by giving the priority to the rural world and other areas like energy. "I am for the people", he said.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 023/2007, 26-27 February 2007
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