After having mounted pressure on Wade by supporting the call for a generational change of government, Paris and Washington have all of a sudden gone quiet. The African Union on the other hand does not intend to sit on the sidelines.
“We will not take lessons from anyone,” a rather resounding response from Dakar, followed by a summon from Foreign Minister Madické Niang to US Ambassador in Dakar, Lewis Lukens on February 7, have seemingly served to calm ardent statements from the two countries.
Whilst France and the USA have sought to convey subliminal diplomatic statements, which translate into “We will be very observant during the vote and at the slightest misstep…”, to the Senegalese authorities, the scope for action has been reduced for the international community.
The elections are in no way under any international mandate, and the government has repeatedly refused any outside financing for the Cena (Autonomous national election committee).
But the Europeans won’t budge. “If there are proven cases of fraud we will denounce them, but we won’t send the Legion”, says one European diplomat.
The African Union
And the African Union does not intend to sit on the sidelines and watch as idle spectators. Last saturday, the continental body’s observer mission established their headquarters at the comfortable Radisson Blu Hotel in Dakar.
Headed by former Nigerian president, Olusegun Obasanjo, and made up of the pan African Parliament, leaders of the National Independent Electoral Commissions, members of the AU Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC), representatives of Human Rights organizations and African civil society, “this Mission will operate following the relevant provision of the Durban Declaration on the Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa, adopted in July 2002, by the Heads of State and Governments of the African Union,” the AU announced.
Meanwhile, Thomas Yayi Boni, President of Benin and current AU president has urged “all political actors and stakeholders to start an inclusive political dialogue in order to ensure a peaceful and transparent electoral process to consolidate the remarkable achievements of Senegal during its contemporary period as well as its path towards democracy”.
Understand Africa's tomorrow... today
We believe that Africa is poorly represented, and badly under-estimated. Beyond the vast opportunity manifest in African markets, we highlight people who make a difference; leaders turning the tide, youth driving change, and an indefatigable business community. That is what we believe will change the continent, and that is what we report on. With hard-hitting investigations, innovative analysis and deep dives into countries and sectors, The Africa Report delivers the insight you need.
