In Senegal, the photo of Karim Wade registering on the electoral lists made the rounds of the web this week. Sentenced in 2015 for “illicit enrichment” and pardoned the following year, the son of former president Abdoulaye Wade has since lived in exile in Qatar. Could he be a candidate for the Senegalese Democratic Party in the presidential election scheduled for February 2024?
With our correspondent in Dakar, Charlotte Idrac
It was in Turkey that Karim Wade made his application for registration on the electoral lists, because there is no administrative commission in Qatar. According to the receipt relayed by his supporters, the son of the former president requests his registration on the list of the commune of Point E in Dakar. Should we see a strong act in view of the presidential election? It’s just a step normal “answers Nafissatou Diallo, spokesperson for his party, the PDS. “ It is obvious that he has recovered his civic and political rights. The penalties that have been cited in the electoral code are for five years, because you cannot strip someone of their rights ad vitam eternam,” she explains.
Registration of Karim Wade on the electoral list in Türkiye. Quickly removing all obstacles to Karim’s eligibility and return is urgent. Khalifa Sall and Sonko must be candidates to give interest and meaning to the 2024 presidential election. pic.twitter.com/YHcbcLQjhF
— Alioune Tine (@aliounetine16) April 18, 2023
Application for registration rejected in 2019
During the last election, however, in 2019, Karim Wade’s application for registration was rejected due to his conviction, and the Constitutional Council declared him ineligible. While an amnesty project was mentioned by President Macky Sall last September, the PDS spokeswoman claims not to be “aware” of potential progress.
” We have been very clear on this issue, it is the United Nations Human Rights Committee which has asked this that the State of Senegal review the trial of Karim Wadeit’s a matter of dignity and honor “, assures Nafissatou Diallo.
Among its demands, the new “platform of the living forces of the Nation” F24 demands the abolition of articles of the electoral code dismissing potential candidates in view of their conviction. But the PDS refused to take part in it because of the adhesion of Aminata Touré, former Minister of Justice during the proceedings initiated against Karim Wade.