Wade Battling Many Fronts Ahead of Election

Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade is facing national anger and criticism from abroad for his defiant bid for a third term in office, which the opposition claims is unconstitutional.

Published

almost 3 years ago

Categories

World, Africa

Topics

Africa

People

Abdoulaye Wade

Places

Senegal

Tags

casamance, election, senegalese government

Transcript

SCRIPT: <br></br><br></br>It's a tough crowd for Abdoulaye Wade. The Senegalese president, who will seek a third term on 26th February, is visiting Casamance, a region plagued since the early 1980s by a separatist rebel conflict which has claimed thousands of lives. <br></br><br></br>SOUNDBITE 1 Abdoulaye Wade, Senegalese President (French, 14 sec): <br></br>"When I stand before you, I can tell you that peace is near. I have direct contact with the main rebel leaders." <br></br><br></br>It's not the first time Wade has promised peace to Casamance during his 12 years in office but so far he's not been able to deliver it. Security is very high for his visit though. Recently, Senegalese soldiers have been taken hostage. <br></br>Incidents like this and the turbulent nature of the current election campaign has driven tourists away. <br></br><br></br>SOUNDBITE 2 Khady Gilou, Casamance Hoteliers Union (French, 12 sec): <br></br>"The tour guides are out of work. There are many places where they can't go at the moment. They can't go on trips to certain villages because of land mines." <br></br><br></br>As well as this long-running separatist instability, Senegal has been rocked for weeks by protests against the elderly president's bid for a third term, which the opposotion says is unconsitiutional. <br></br><br></br>Transport routes here have also been disrupted and roads closed at night after haulage drivers were attacked by rebel fighters. <br></br><br></br>SOUNDBITE 3 Ipo Toure, Ziguinchorv bus station manager (French, 11 sec): <br></br>"We're at risk just by doing our job because anything can happen to us here. You can be killed, you can be held up, you can be vandalised." <br></br><br></br>'Wade or chaos'... the 85 year-old president's slogan is an ominous warning to those mobilising against his candidature. But people here have faced insecuirty for 30 years... what they're hoping for is a president who can finally bring them some peace. <br></br><br></br><br></br>SHOTLIST: <br></br><br></br>ZIGUINCHORE, SENEGAL & DAKAR FEB 12 & 15, 2012, SOURCE: AFPTV <br></br><br></br> Pan rally in Ziguinchor <br></br> VAR Wade speaking <br></br> SOUNDBITE 1 <br></br> Abdoulaye Wade in motorcade <br></br> VAR Soldiers <br></br> VAR hotel pool <br></br> SOUNDBITE 2 <br></br> VAR riots in Dakar <br></br> VAR bus station <br></br> SOUNDBITE 3 <br></br> Campaign posters <br></br> Roundabout in Ziguinchor <br></br> CU dove statue