AU Must Block Wade’s New Law

Nairobi Star (Nairobi)

24 June 2011

editorial

It is complicated to decide when foreign intervention is justified in the affairs of a sovereign state, as we have seen in both Libya and Kenya However there is now a potential abuse of power in Africa which clearly merits foreign intervention.

In Senegal veteran president Abdoulaye Wade is pushing a law through Parliament to remove the requirement of a simple majority (50 per cent plus one) that is needed to become president. The new law will allow someone to become Senegal’s president with just 25 per cent of the vote.

The law is almost certain to pass because Parliament is controlled by Wade supporters after the opposition boycotted the last election. The new law will almost certainly guarantee a Wade victory in next February’s presidential election. He will then by 86 years old and will be 93 at the end of his seven year term. By every standard this is wrong. If the law is not repealed, it will allow minority presidents to rule Senegal in perpetuity.

The African Union never sees to fit to intervene in the politics of member states. But in this case it should lead the charge to ensure that the Senegalese president is elected with at least half the votes cast.

Quote of the day: “All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once they grow up.” – 19 year old Spanish artist Pablo Picasso held his first exhibition in Paris on June 24, 1901.

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