Wednesday, July 30, 2008

SENEGALESE MPS VOTE TO EXTEND ABDULAHI WADE'S TERM!

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By HAMADOU TIDIANE SY,
Daily Nation
July 30, 2008

President Abdulahi Wade has had his term extended from five to seven years amidst opposition protests. The decision has been strongly criticised by the minority in Parliament. Some local analysts suspect new changes are part of the plan to prepare the ground for the president’s son, Karim Wade.

Senegalese MPs voted late Tuesday an amendment to the country’s constitution extending the presidential term from five to seven years amidst opposition protests and concern from independent experts.

The main opposition parties, not represented in the assembly due to an earlier boycott of parliamentary elections, tried to stage a demonstration outside the House. The rally was banned by the authorities and the premises were sealed off early enough by members of the security forces.

An attempt to form a crowd near the national assembly, in the heart of the city, was repressed by police causing a few minor clashes with protesters.

Strongly criticised

The decision has been strongly criticised by the minority in Parliament and by law experts who accused the assembly of violating the country’s constitution by modifying an article of the law which could only be amended “through a referendum”. Mr Madické Niang, the Justice Minister and also a former lawyer defended the government decision saying it has “a solid legal basis”.

Cheikh Bamba Dièye, a minority MP in parliament said: “Petty political debates are taking priority over serious national issues”. He said he was not happy with the minister’s justifications.

The main opposition parties criticised the move saying Senegal has now become a “monarchy”, while others denounced the “numerous changes” in the nation’s constitution.

A recent study conducted by University professors in three countries (Benin, Senegal and Burkina Faso) highlighted that the Senegalese constitution is the one “most subjected to changes” during the recent years.

Between 2000 and 2008, Senegal has on average experienced constitutional changes “every six months”, said Ismaila Madior Fall, one of the experts who took part in the study.

Besides Senegal, among the recent countries to tamper presidential terms was Cameroon where President Paul Biya pushed through Parliament a law allowing him to run again in the coming elections in his country, while he was supposed to be serving his last term.

President Abdoulaye Wade was first elected in 2000 for a seven year term. Then he and the coalition which backed him then decided to propose a new constitution, approved by referendum in 2001.

This 2001 constitution reduced the duration of the presidential mandate.

Some local analysts suspect the new changes are part of the plan to prepare the ground for the president’s son, Karim Wade, allegedly being groomed to succeed his father.

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