When I first arrived in Senegal for my study abroad, it was January 2001. My parents were freaked out by me going to a sub-Saharan country, but were reassured by the fact that Senegal is one of the more successful post-colonial African countries in terms of democracy. I landed in Dakar during an interesting time — they had just elected their third president, Abdoulaye Wade, a man with extraordinary vision and hope. Since independence in 1960, Senegal had only had two leaders — the widely adored pro-Africa Senghor and his protege Abdou Diouf, each serving about 20 years. People were ready for a change, and there was much excitement about the possibilities of Wade’s future.
In April, Senegalese people, including my host family, went to participate in the National Assembly elections. I felt fortunate to be able to witness the election process, and to engage in the many conversations about democracy and change during that time.
Sadly, when I returned in 2003, the bubble of hope had deflated in so many ways. People had mixed feelings about the infrastructural changes Wade had implemented, the seemingly endless highways being built and presidential planes while many social needs were neglected. Some complained that he focused to much on modernizing the city’s capital for tourists. Others told me that schools were being built without teachers to fill them. And there were still people holding out on hope, insisting that Wade’s game plan would help them all, pointing to the increased economic activity. People were happy with the ends but not the means in which this was happening.
That said, Wade was re-elected in 2007 for a second term. Under his new constitution, the President could only hold two terms, each now reduced from 7 years to 5 years. But as his time approached an end, Wade argued that the two-term rule would not apply to him. The suspiciously partial judicial system agreed, and in the Presidential elections this past weekend, his name was on the ballot. Although he did not garner enough votes to avoid a face-off, he still leads the count. This is a very different person than when I was there 12 years ago. He is now facing many claims of corruption — including giving IMF officials bagfuls of money, nepotism, and continuous changes to the Constitution without debate. He built a $27 million USD statue in Dakar while his country is highly dependent on foreign aid and suffering from unemployment, food shocks and dependency. Sadly, it remains as one of the least-developed countries in the world.
Senegal, a country that prides itself on democracy, is now being grouped with other countries that have fallen to the selfishness and power-hungry elite. I follow the stories and posts of my host-family members and friends in Dakar, who reveal day by day the frustrations of political instability. A season of anger is related by Senegalese rappers, who claim “y’en a marre” — they have had enough. The normally placid streets are filled with protestors and armed police. But what does it take to stop a single person’s determination to keep power?
In my program, we often discuss good governance and rule of law. But I can’t help but wonder about people in public office and their selfishness. Senegal is known as an oasis of good political practice, an example for many of its neighbors. It has never had a coup d’etat or military intervention. The country is filled with proud people, who believe that things can be better, and that the current repressive administration needs to go. But yet, (as witnessed many times over in Arab Spring movements), an ego-filled delusion leader is willing to sacrifice the people he claims to serve in his own pursuits.
With the run-off now planned in March, I am hopeful that Wade will listen to his citizen’s demands. His time as President has come to an end — and he can either be remembered as someone who bravely and humbly stepped aside to ensure the progress of his country. Or he could be known in history as the person who was responsible for demise and destabilization of Senegal.
I wait with baited breath and send my thoughts and prayers of peace and justice to Senegal.
