Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Dakar (Fides Service)- “We are planning with Muslim leaders necessary steps to help lesson tension in Senegal” says Archbisop Théodore Adrien Sarr of Dakar president of the Senegalese Catholic Bishops’ Conference. “We intend to contribute to restoring calm and building a quieter climate in the country”.
In Senegal political tension is connected with the closing down of Sud Fm private radio station for several hours. The authorities said the radio was “a threat to national security” after it broadcast an interview with the leader of armed wing of the Casamance Democratic Forces Movement (MFDC), fighting for succession since 1982 for Casamance region which lies between the Gambia and Guinea Bissau.
About twenty journalists and radio technicians were arrested. The decision taken by the national authorities led to protests from various sectors of politics and local journalism on the ground that it was a violation of freedom of expression .
Another event which had already caused political tension in Senegal was the arrest last July of former prime minister Idrissa Seck, on charges that he represented “a threat to national security and national defence” and “embezzlement of public funds”. The government decision to hold legislative elections scheduled for May 2006 with presidential elections in early 2007 also gave rise to heated protests on the part of the opposition which fears this will open the way for electoral fraud.
“The Catholic Church and the Muslim community have good relations and this recent initiative is a confirmation of the importance of inter-religious dialogue in Senegal” local sources said.
On 2 November Prime Minister Macky Sall had a meeting with newspaper editors and directors of local radios to establish dialogue in order to overcome the crisis between the government and organs of information. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 8/11/2005 righe 31 parole 350)
