USA Africa Dialogue Series - Dakar Declaration of Civil Society

 

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THE DAKAR DECLARATION, 28th January 2012

 

We, representatives of civil society organizations in West Africa,

Meeting in Dakar to deliberate on the political transitions in West Africa with particular focus on the political situation in Senegal;

Conscious of the risks of instability that can be created by the validation of the candidacy of President Abdoulaye Wade;

Convinced that the decision of the Constitutional Council is a serious violation of the spirit of the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance signed and ratified by Senegal, more importantly it is also a serious violation of the Constitution of Senegal 2001;

Concerned about the threats to the stability in Senegal with the hardening of positions of different actors, including those of President Wade and the democratic forces within the M23;

Determined to denounce all forms of constitutional manipulation in order to perpetuate state patronage and dynasties in African States;

Determined yet to defeat any attempt, that should it succeed, would mark a serious setback for democracy in Africa and the West African region in a particular way;

Convinced that the validation of the candidacy of President Wade for a term which is not right, is likely to cause a major political crisis in a country previously cited for its democratic values ÐÐand high ideals of its leadership;

Persuaded that the purpose of this application is nothing but the defense and preservation of purely private interests;

Convinced that the effects of the crisis may have a negative impact on countries with strong autocratic tendencies, such as The Gambia and those just out of crisis in transitions with an uncertain future;

1. Denounce the processes so far engaged to challenge the important democratic achievement in transitions of power in Senegal perceived to be one the best models of democracy in the West African region,.

2. Call on President Abdoulaye Wade to make every effort to preserve the democratic gains and to listen to the people who spoke through demonstrations in the country on June 23, 2011 and since January 27, 2012;

The Dakar meeting made the following recommendations:

To:

The Constitutional Council:

·        Respect the will and the legitimate aspirations of the Senegalese people.

Other institutions of the Republic of Senegal:

·        The validation of the candidacy of President Abdoulaye WADE calls into question the principles of democracy and social peace and the image of Senegal.

·        To stop immediately and unconditionally the pursuit, arrest and harassment of the peaceful demonstrators and their leaders

Security Forces:

·        The spirit in which the provisional validation of the candidature of President WADE is likely to endanger the political stability and sustainability of the nation.

·        To respect the Constitutional rights of the Senegalese people to demonstrate against all manipulations of the constitution and the electoral processes.

International Community:

·        Call on the International Community in particular ECOWAS, the African Union, the Francophonie, the European Union and the United Nations to support the will and aspirations of the Senegalese People against all violations of the Constitution and the principles of democracy.

Finally WACSOF appeals to all stakeholders in the process to promote dialogue and respect democratic principles in resolving the ongoing political crisis.

In addition, the regional meeting in Dakar invites civil society organizations in West Africa to remain mobilized to defend the democratic gains and for permanent concerted actions against any attempted violation of the principles contained in the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance; And the message of the people who demand strict adherence to the constitutional provisions.

Finally, WACSOF expresses its solidarity with the people of Senegal in its struggle to defend democracy and the rule of law in Senegal.

 

Jibrin Ibrahim PhD

Director

Centre for Democracy and Development

4,Kikuyu Close,

Off Nairobi Street, Off Parakou Crescent

Off Aminu Kano Cresent

Wuse II

P. O. Box 14345, Wuse

Abuja, Nigeria

Tel - +234 (0)9 6716454/ 2731445

Fax - +234 (0) 9 6703292, 6726090

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Toyin Falola
Department of History
The University of Texas at Austin
1 University Station
Austin, TX 78712-0220
USA
512 475 7224
512 475 7222  (fax)
http://www.toyinfalola.com/
www.utexas.edu/conferences/africa
http://groups.google.com/group/yorubaaffairs
http://groups.google.com/group/USAAfricaDialogue