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Senegal |
POLITICS
The Senegalese nation impatiently awaits radical measures needed to give the country a new look
«After the 19 March government change-over, we must now live and work with what’s happened». Such was the observation of an executive from the Jëf-Jëf (Act and Take) Party, (one of the coalition of opposition parties which succeeded in upsetting the established order and getting Mr Aboulaye Wade elected President of Senegal). Indeed, the whole population was looking for change. This took place following a series of protests by individuals, the Press, rallies and strikes. All the Diouf government did, was to offer explanations and a few grudging concessions.
But the former government had made such a mess of things, that to turn around the whole administration will take not just weeks but months. Quite rightly, the present government formed on 3 April, sees itself as one of transition. Its task is to prepare for constitutional changes. During this period, the new President is fully equipped to take all necessary measures towards this. In particular, he must find new senior officials to take over important national bodies such as the army, the police, Dakar Port Authority, the railways and road transport.
Large-scale migration
To escape not just changes of jobs but even prosecution for embezzlement, some prominent members of the Socialist Party (PS) led by former President Diouf, have crossed the floor of the House to join other parties, especially that of the new President, the Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS).
If some of their former comrades regard these departures as salutary for a good «spring-clean», others condemn such an attitude as «treacherous». Jean-Paul Dias, who is not a PS member, but leader of one of the parties which supported Diouf in the presidential elections, makes no bones about it. He has openly labelled these political migrants as «traitors with soiled hands». He goes even further: «When there was talk of an investigation into the way in which they had managed their departmental finances, they took to their heals and joined the new governing administration». In mid-July, he appealed to all Members of Parliament to debate and vote on his proposed law «to improve the country’s moral climate and to draw attention to the outrageous protection offered the political migrants, and to seek out those who practice bribery».
Culprits will be prosecuted
Prime Minister Moustapha Niasse, whose is also Secretary-General of another party, the Alliance of Forces for Progress (AFP), is equally categorical. «Punishment will be meted out without any hesitation». He explains his statement in greater detail: «President Wade has made it clear that the results of the on-going audits will be made public, and the perpetrators of proven crimes will feel the full force of law. The people of Senegal can be sure of this, and they can judge for themselves». The prime minister adds: «If ever the measures envisaged are not applied for reasons of public expediency, and if the culprits shelter under the wing of any party in particular, let me assure you that I shall be amongst the first to take a stand against such a situation. The AFP is one with all citizens in loudly condemning the culprits’ attempts to deceive the people. I know that many of our country’s citizens think as I do. If nothing is done, the new government will have betrayed the trust placed in it by so many men and women, and dashed the hopes of many young people who are looking for a government which is honest and above board».
Make no mistake. The people know the embezzlers, at least most of them. They are daily witnesses to their lifestyle and they know perfectly well where the presents they hand out so liberally, come from. The people don’t need government audits and proofs of malpractices. They’ve seen it all!
But let’s face it, Prime Minister Niasse’s clean-up campaign is, in the long-term, worth its weight in gold. The PDS, the party with the greatest number of dubious political migrants, is under scrutiny. Any tendency to shelter embezzlers will be punished by public opinion. Besides, the younger PDS members do not like this new wave of arrivals, who, for the most part are professional politicians, well-versed in wheeling and dealing. The coming months could be stormy ones for Senegal.
Actually, elections are not far off, following a Constitutional referendum. Parliamentary elections are due in 2001 followed by municipal and local elections the same year. The voters are not going to allow those guilty of fiddling public funds to escape. Since the last referendum, the Senegalese know they can change the shape of their political landscape through the ballot box. In other words, no matter what votes a given party can muster, every citizen knows his/her individual vote has to be taken into account. The leaders of the Tidjanes Muslim Brotherhood have learnt to their cost the folly of throwing their support behind Abdou Diouf.
Expectations
The Senegalese citizen awaits the changes foreseen in the commitments undertaken by the new Front government, and contained in the programmes of constitutional reform and economic development.
In the new Constitution, the Senate is to be abolished; the number of Members of Parliament (140 at present) reduced; and the presidential term of office cut down from seven to five years. Democracy is to be strengthened with open government, and this in a country long noted for juggling with election results. Plans for revamping the economy and social aspects of people’s lives, include reducing unemployment by creating jobs, controlling the national debt and encouraging investment. Education and health services are to be improved, as well as pensions for the retired and for former servicemen.
The Senegalese are now expecting to see some start made in finding solutions to their problems, starting with improvement in the standard of living, better ways of ensuring taxation, a cut in the cost of living, easier access to health services and education. Such are the changes to which they aspire and which motivated their votes on 27 February and 19 March.
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