July 11 2017 – Former 91 year old Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade has returned to the capital Dakar to lead his party for the forthcoming elections after spending years abroad following a failed attempt at securing a third term in office.
The Wade flew into Dakar on Monday from Paris, accompanied by his wife Viviane. He retains a strong support base in Senegal, which is holding legislative elections on July 30, the Voice of America reported.
Wade will head up the list of candidates for his opposition Senegalese Democratic Party and will also lead other opposition parties with the objective of attempting to form a coalition to win a parliamentary majority.
Wade’s arrival in Dakar was greeted by his supporters who cheered him amid tight security presence.
The former president was last in Senegal in April 2014 when his son Karim faced corruption charges, and the illegal accumulation of a vast sum of money. He was subsequently sentenced to six-years in prison – only serving half of which he served.
A reception rally to greet Wade on his previous arrival in Dakar because of security concerns.
Wade’s supporters alleged the charges against his son were politically trumped up and part of a personal vendetta against the family – an allegation echoed by his family.
Wade was elected president in 2 000 and was hailed as one of the few African democrats. However, his reputation as a democrat crumbled in the months leading to the 2012 elections after he was accused of solidifying his son’s rise to power.
During the elections Senegal was hit by street protests which paralysed the capital with protesters warning Wade not to seek a third term. He lost to current President Macky Sall in the 2012 runoff, and withdrew abroad.
Sall’s presidential run has seen highs and lows punctuated by complaints that he hasn’t done enough to improve the lives of ordinary Senagalese.
Meanwhile, the July 30 elections will see Senegal elect 150 deputies to Parliament. Should Wade’s party secure more than 75 seats it will win a majority. – ANA
