New phase in Senegal

I have lived in places where I did not get power or water for months on end, but Senegal is not such a place.  They have benefited from a stronger support base, non-violent transitions in power, and strong outside investment, until recently.  The downturn in the world economy has meant that a poorly run government can no longer keep up with shortages and increasing demands for fuel, food, and jobs.  Past incidents of corruption went unnoticed against the backdrop of relative comfort and stability.  Now that the veil has been lifted, and the population has seen the effectiveness of violent outcries for change.  We can expect to see a shift in Senegal.  

Last week, members of parliament critiqued the proposed bill not because they were genuinely against President Wade's idea for a new format of government and elections. They verbally criticized it because they feared that their families, homes, and cars would be harmed, burned, or looted. Several close aides to the head of state had faced this same fate that evening.  The fear in the eyes of those in government has been laid bare for all to see.  The disgruntled youth have opened the proverbial political Pandora's box, and now, only shrewd, presidential leadership can steer Senegal away from this precipice of brinkmanship and mob rule.

Last night youth burned several government buildings including city hall and three electric power offices when the city was plunged into 48 hours of darkness.  As I said before, hardly a hardship foreign to its neighbors, but to the Senegalese, it is a step too far in the wrong direction. Today the US Embassy issued this warning to people living in Dakar:

"Violent demonstrations erupted overnight in various neighborhoods of Dakar.  While last week’s demonstrations (specifically those on June 23rd) focused on a controversial law regarding the upcoming Presidential elections, demonstrations last night focused on public frustration over continued and increasing power outages in Dakar.  While power cuts are not a new phenomenon, their frequency and duration have increased in recent months.  In addition, it should be noted that two separate churches were torched over the weekend in separate locations near Dakar.  While not related to the issue of power cuts, it is an indication of ongoing unrest and the possibility of violence.

The demonstrations last night quickly became violent, with protestors throwing rocks, burning tires, torching cars and buses, and blocking roads.  Further demonstrations are planned today, which may target various sites in the city and/or the offices of Senelec (the national electricity company.)  Demonstrations in other locations could occur without prior notice, and demonstrations of this nature may continue in the coming days.

Travel plans should be amended to account for the possibility of continued protests and/or ensuing violence and delays in these affected areas. We remind U.S. citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can quickly and without much advance warning turn confrontational and escalate into violence. The Embassy, therefore, urges U.S. citizens to avoid crowds, political gatherings, and street demonstrations, even if they appear to be peaceful, and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations. If indoors when a demonstration begins, shelter in place until it is safe to move about. U.S. citizens should stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surrounding at all times."


It is not an overly alarming message.  No one expects matters to get out of hand. Not today.  But we are all keeping our eyes on the political leadership to steer this ship to a safer harbor.

A week of turmoil

I went to bed late last night after a long bout to restore any data left on my laptop.  After 9 faithful years and several days of triage, rebooting, reloading, and everything else short of mouth to mouth, it finally gave up the ghost.  I bought a new hard drive and DVD to replace the damaged parts.  It looks the same from the outside but it is not the same Fujitsu Lifebook P Series that has seen me through some pretty sketchy environments and kept me in touch with friends and family. I had done what I could to keep clean and looking good on the outside but on the inside, it was breaking down slowly and in serious need of a total overhaul.  I was too late in recognizing that truth.  Hopefully the Senegalese government will have better luck.  
Early last week the government bill to introduce the office of the vice presidency under the pretense of helping to avoid costly election should the head of state die or otherwise find himself incapable of carrying out the functions of his office.  I mentioned the polemics around that topic.  Well, they were really only the tip of the iceberg.    Senegal has long been the darling of the West.  A beacon of democracy in West Africa.  But like my laptop, despite the efforts to keep up appearances, the insides had started to break down over a decade ago and an overhaul is needed to put the country back on more stable ground.

President Wade is 85 years old and is intending to run for another 7 years.  He was the first president ever to be truly elected by the people of Senegal.  France appointed Leopold Senghor, the first president, during its colonial rule and he carried Senegal into independence.  Senghor then modified the constitution to appoint Abdou Diouf as president when he felt he was no longer able to continue to do his job.  Therefore, Wade emerged as the first real challenge -an outsider and lifetime opposition leader with bright ideas.  Expectations ran very high after his 2000 election.  He made many lofty promises and today the population is disappointed and wary that this new law is simply an attempt to allow him to choose his successor, possibly even his son. No one envisions that he would like to serve out another 7 years in office, so they wholly anticipate that he will win the 2012 elections and shortly thereafter surrender his post to his vice-president who would then appoint his own vice-president.

The tensions over this issue have been building: Today the US Embassy asked Americans to stay clear of Dakar if possible to avoid possible violent confrontations expected in the city and around the parliament building where elected officials will be debating and voting on the proposed bill.

This morning thousands of youth descended into the city, placing piles of burning tires in the main entrance points to the city to block all access via bus or car. Reports are coming in of demonstrations around the country but none in the Casamance region where I suppose we have our own more pressing issues that we want to keep in the spotlight.  As I type this, my colleague burst into my office to tell me that the youth managed to smash open the gates to the parliament building.  They are trying to gain entry into the building to force out all the Parliamentary Members and prevent a vote.  Tensions rising still.

I also received an email informing me that I am to expect a termination letter from my employer and an employment letter from the organization that acquired us a few weeks ago.  Not just me, of course.  All of us here at the organization are in the same situation.  I am sure that it will lead to some heated debates especially if the terms are not the same.

Interesting times indeed.