Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Dakar (Fides Service)- “Yesterday’s protest took place peacefully and it was a demonstration of the Senegalese spirit of democracy ” a missionary in Dakar, Senegal tells Fides. Thousands gathered yesterday, 6 November, to protest against political violence. The protest march was organised by Opposition parties after Talla Sylla, leader of a small party Jef-Jel which is not part of the government, was struck several times on the head with a hammer. So far the judicial authorities’ inquiry has not led to the arrest of any suspects.
“The attack on Sylla was the lastest episode in a series of acts of intimidation against individuals and institutions which oppose the policy of President Abdoulaye Wade” say Fides sources. “In the past months a local Radio Station and a non governmental bank were set on fire, and members of the Opposition were harrassed. Neither police nor magistrates have shed light on any of these incidents”.
“People are not happy with the President’s policy considered too personal and because of the high positions given to members of his family. The people say “we are a republic not a monarchy” the missionary says. The people are disappointed in Wade, whose election in 2000 was heralded as an historical turning point for the nation. He is in fact Senegal’s first Presidente not to be a member of the party of Senghor and his delfin, Abdou Diouf, who had governed Senegal since 1960” say Fides sources. “But most people say the change has brought no great benefits to the country: the President made a lot of promises which he has not kept”.
Despite the tension the missionary is confident for the future of Senegal: “The Senegales are peaceful, hardworking people and they have a strong sense of community. I remember that a few years ago during a demonstration some participants were killed. The people promised this would never happen again. “We are all Senegalese, all brothers and sisters, we cannot kill one another”.
The people’s strong sense of democracy was mentioned by Bishop Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya, then President of SCEAM (Simposium of Bishops’ Conferences of Africa and Madagascar) in the opening speech of the Plenary Assembly of the organisation of African Bishops held last month in Dakar. Bishop Monsengwo said that one of the reasons why Senegal was chosen to host the meeting was because it is a model of democracy for the entire continent. (L.M.) (Fides Service 7/11/2003, lines 37 words 461)
