Onrust in Senegal

Het is de laatste weken onrustig in Senegal, de oudste democratie van Afrika. Wij (onze donateurs en het bestuur van Vrouwen en Kinderen eerst) waren ongerust over het effect op onze projecten en, nog belangrijker, de kinderen in Senegal. Wij hebben Sidy Diop, Europees coordinator van onze partner Asispev, gevraagd om zijn visie te geven op de huidige situatie.


The news we are getting actually from Senegal show once more how important are our actions consisting in supporting the education of children. Through the cooperation between Asispev and Vrouwen en kinderen eerst! We are helping children getting better chances in the society through education.
I am convinced that if more and more people get educated, the democracy understanding will grow in Africa and corruption and exploitation will decrease. Democracy is in fact one of the best political systems actually known but it can only work properly if the people concerned get the chance to understand the rules.
Here a short explanation of the actual situation in Senegal: The actual president Wade was elected first in 2000 for 7 years. In 2001 he organizes a referendum for some changes in the constitution. One important change was the limitation of the mandates of a president in maximal two mandates of each 5 years. Wade finished his first mandate of 7 year for what he was elected in 2000 (before the change of constitution) than he was reelected in 2007 for five years (according to new constitution). Now he presents himself ones more for another mandate of five years. This is “officially” the origin of the discussion: Some are telling that Wade was already two times elected and could not more apply and Wade himself, his supporters and the constitutional court tell that the first mandate of 7 years cannot be considered in the counting because the constitution change came after Wade was elected for the first mandate. Thousand of constitutionalists are discussing this issue around the world but fact is that the Constitutional court in Senegal has accepted Wade to be candidate with some 13 other candidates. 3 others who had also applied were rejected and one of them is the famous Youssou Ndour.
Imagine if a constitutional court in Europe could take a decision in such a case. Normally than people who are against the decision could go back to court and give there complains at court and wait for a definitive decision. To be honest that is what some oppositions parties have also done but the end the court has confirmed its decision once more.
Since all people do not accept this decision of the court, some of them are on the street and asked Wade to go!
People have got different opinions on this issue but I think that the opposition parties must respect the decision of the court and all of them have to go out to the people in campaign, to talk peacefully to the people and to try to get the votes in a legal way. Senegal has shown in 2000 that a change through votes is possible because Wade got in power this way.
Violence in the street is not a choice in a country like Senegal with its really very long democracy tradition.
The Campaign is starting on Sunday 05th of February and the election will take place hopefully in February 26. The best must win.
Our children are not affected. Until now I have got no sign of movement in Porokhane. Nothing will happens there because Porokhane is a village with mainly people of the Murid brotherhood and the head of all Murids has asked his people to keep quiet, to respect the decision of the court and to vote the 26 of February for the candidate they find to be the right one. This appeal came also from some other heads of religious groups who have got real power in the Senegalese society.
Let us continue to support our children. Let us help them get a good education and we will see that this will help and will give a better base for real democracy and tolerance.