Senegal Opposition Calls on International Community to End Pre-Election Violence
Protesters clashed again with security forces at recent demonstrations in Dakar. The protesters want President Abdoulaye Wade to abandon his bid for a third term.
"Look at these bullets. Look at these bullets and tear gas. They really want to kill us. They don't want ... anymore."
"We are asking all opposition leaders for peace. Without you, Senegal can't have peace. We are tired for the situation. We are tired. We are tired."
But some say the preparations for next Sunday's poll are going well despite all the protests.
"I've been in two voting centers and everything seems very normal. The representatives of political parties are in place. The independent electoral commission is also in place."
Chris Fomunyoh is with the National Democratic Institute in Washington, an organization that works to support democracy worldwide. He says he worries Senegal will lose the legitimacy as a functioning African democracy.
"All of us today will ... Senegal. I deeply concern, deeply worry that image of Senegal is about to be contaminated. And that Senegal will become just like any other country that graples with issues but into elections of political participation."
Mamadi Jofe is the director of the Institute for African studies at Columbia University in New York. He says the elections should be postponed.
"I am not thinking a scenario of election taking place because it will be a catastrophe for Senegal actually in a longer run."
Ndiouga Dieng a Senegalese who lives here in Washington, says the opposition is just afraid to face Mr. Wade.
"They said that Wade is not going to pass the election for one thing. But secondly, they say they are not going to boycott. So I found a big contradiction there. If they were sure of having the majority, then they will go facing Wade in this elections and beat him."
Witney Schneidman recently moderated a discussion on Senegal elections. He says the problem in Senegal comes down to one issue.
"Is Senegal going through a generational change? And where is the use of this? And does the opposition reflect the concerns of this new generation?"
Schneidman says whether Mr. Wade wins the elections or not, he says the Western African country will definitely be dealing with transitional issues from one generation to another. |