by Alain Agboton, Dakar, 23 April 1998
THEME = ELECTIONS
Cardinal Thiandoum, leader of the Catholic Church in Senegal,
fears that the 24 May elections may not be calm.
At Easter, he called for "free, democratic, peaceful and open" elections
Cardinal Hyacinthe Thiandoum's appeal followed on that issued a few days previously in similar terms by the civil society. A few days after Easter, the Cardinal joined with the other Bishops of Senegal in repeating the same calls for moderation. During the previous election held in 1993, the Cardinal, together with the Muslim imams, had called for peaceful elections. However, a number of "incidents" took place during both the 1993 and the 1996 elections, which had been marred by fraud. "I'm not the only one who is worried", the Cardinal said in the national Press, explaining that all kinds of turmoil are regular features of Senegal's elections.
Political tension seems to be rising. The Socialist Party (PT), the party in power, is going through a serious crisis. Last year, dissidents within the party, formed a faction called "The Democratic Renewal", in which former cabinet minister, Mr Djibo Ka, leads several local party leaders. The Independence and Labour Party (PIT) has also got its problems. Other parties such as Professor Iba Der Thiam's Convention of Democrats and Patriots (CDP) and Abdoulaye Wade's Democratic Party of Senegal (PDS) are in embarrassing positions, mainly due to the way in which the list of those eligible for election has been drawn up.
It's in this context that the independent Supervisory Body for Elections (ONEL) must be situated. This was formed last year to "supervise" and to ensure that the elections are free and open. Most politicians welcomed the setting up of this independent body. However, opposition parties regard it as a halfway house to the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) they really want, following the example of most African countries.
Things are hotting up on the political scene as the start of the election campaign approaches (3 May). It pits the Interior Minister (he's got some say in the way in which the elections are organised) against ONEL over the electoral lists. It should be noted that army generals are in charge of both this particular ministry and ONEL.
This year, as the 24 May parliamentary election draws ever-closer (18 political parties will be contesting the 140 seats), the powerful and influential Islamic brotherhood, the Mourides, under its Caliph, Serigne Saliou Mbacké, has not (yet) issued a command (a "ndigel") to vote for a particular party. So the PS will not be able to count on them.
For the first time, a number of political parties such as Adboulaye's Wade's PDS (the main opposition party) has included some marabouts (religious leaders) on their parliamentary lists.
The presence of these religious leaders or their co-religionists means that party workers who have always born the brunt of battle when it comes to elections, find themselves relegated to the sidelines. Obviously they're none too happy.
Cardinal Hyacinthe Thiandoum has made it abundantly clear that no Church leader's name will be found on party lists. "A political post is not for a priest, who must be someone who gathers his flock together" - an obvious reference to Father Diamacoune Senghor, leader of the Casamance (in the south) separatist party, the Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC), where a bloody civil war has been raging for nigh on 16 years.
Regarding Islam, the Cardinal goes on to say: "Islam has its own rules and I'm not competent to judge Muslims. We don't see things in the same way".
It should not be forgotten that Senegal's Constitution forbids parties based on religious affiliation. Senegal's population is 90% Muslim and 10% Catholic and Animist. Ever since colonial times, politics and religion haves formed an important part of the nation's daily life, but relations between them have not always been harmonious. In recent times, many marabouts have distanced themselves from the PS, following the example of the charismatic and influential Serigne Sheikh Tidiane Sy. He belongs to the Tijaniya brotherhood (to which President Diouf also belongs). His conferences on "God's oneness" attracts very large crowds, and his presentation is such that sometimes they fall into trances. The conferences also give rise to virulent criticism of President Abdou Diouf's administration.
Is this a sign that Muslim religious leaders are becoming increasingly important in public life and aware of their influence among the people. They know they represent their fellow citizens when it comes to dealing with the authorities, but one wonders if they're not really concerned with lining their own pockets first of all? Some people say these religious leaders want to delay issuing commands (Ndigel) to vote for a particular party until the highest bidder comes along.
Other observers of the political scene regret that nobody has dared condemn this interference by the marabouts in past, present and future elections. They say there are inherent dangers to the constitutional stability of the State in what is happening, especially because of the unclear relations which exist between the spiritual and temporal authority, between politicians and religious leaders, between the secular character of the State (as laid down in the Constitution) and the influence of religion in every aspect of public life. One wonders if there isn't a drifting away from democracy in Senegal these days? Obviously a fundamental concern for all Senegal's citizens.
There's another area which gives cause for concern. Fighting between Mauritanian refugees and the local population in the south- east of Senegal. Here, the situation has become so serious that the President of the National Assembly went there with a parliamentary delegation to try and smooth things over. There's a danger that this particular conflict could spill over into neighbouring Mauritania. Relations between Senegal and Mauritania are in a particular delicate state, ever since 1989.
In spite of everything, the Cardinal wishes with all his heart that the forthcoming elections will pass off in "peace and serenity"... and this "for the honour of the Senegalese nation - the true victor after the next elections".
END
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