Is the Senegalese president, Abdoulaye Wade, trying to manipulate religious, ethnic or other regional identities to stay in power? If that is the case, as many appear to believe, then it is high time to ring the alarm bell and warn everyone, including Wade’s opponents. 

By Hamadou Tidiane, from our partner Ouestaf.com 
 
It is a slippery slope on which other countries have ventured, with the outcomes that we all know.   

Wade’s political manoeuvres must be opposed, if Senegal is to avoid falling prey to the religious wars that the country has managed to prevent so far. The same intransigence should be applied with regards to his prime minister who, at a time when the entire country is worried about the situation in Southern Senegal, dares calling regions names.

General chaos
It is as if he was unaware that such actions could give credence to separatist movements in this southern region. Put together, the political behaviours of President Wade and his prime minister could plunge the entire country into general chaos.

In one word, this country needs to be urgently protected from the lurking threat of excessiveness.

Therefore, the Senegalese people should say no to Abdoulaye Wade, to his prime minister and to whoever would engage in the manipulation of religion or regional identities.

Oppose Wade
Those who oppose Wade have plenty of reasons not to be dragged into ethnic, religious or identity debates. There are numerous objectives grounds to oppose this president without compromising the integrity and national unity of Senegal.

If we are to oppose Abdoulaye Wade and his government, it should not be because of a grenade that was thrown (or fell by chance?) in a place of worship. We must fight him because of the violence he and his government and family members have brought on the country. Ultimately, the “grenade” is unacceptable in democracy. A grenade is equally harmful whether it explodes in a bus, on the marketplace, in the street or in a mosque or church.

In summary, it is the use of the “grenade”, the use of illegitimate force and state violence in the democratic debate that must be opposed and denounced.

Candidacy is illegitimate 
There many other objective reasons to fight Wade. He has, among other things, squandered the country’s wealth; promoted mediocrity; allowed the corrupt to steal in impunity; violated the constitution; destabilised state institutions; promoted lying (his “waxoon waxeet” or self-contradiction).

We must therefore not oppose him because of his religious or ethnic affiliation. We must oppose him because his candidacy is illegitimate and his governance mediocre. We must oppose him because at eighty-six he cannot pretend to be a decent leader for a population that is twenty years old on average.

We must oppose him because, everywhere else in the world, people are voicing their frustrations as well as determination not to be ruled by dynasties of absolute monarchs.

Therefore, Wade and his prime minister should not be followed on those slippery slopes that can have devastating consequences for Senegal. We all have diverse identities; let us oppose their manipulation by Abdoulaye Wade or those who, like him, aspire to govern the country.