Ex-Senegalese President, Abdoulaye Wade Returns To His Country After Calling For Election Boycott

Senagal’s Former President Returns For Upcoming Election

Former President of Senegal, Abdoulaye Wade has returned to his country following his recent calls for the boycott of the upcoming presidential election.

Wade, who ruled between 2000 and 2012, spent nearly two years in France after suffering a bitter defeat to current President Macky Sall, his former prime minister turned arch-rival, in March 2012.

According to reports, in a recent video recorded from his home in France, Mr Wade said he was working on “an action programme” for the boycott.

Last month, two of Senegal’s popularly known opposition figures were disqualified from running in elections by the country’s Constitutional Council.

Under Senegalese law, the sentences effectively ended their chances of running in the Feb. 24 poll and the Constitutional Council confirmed this outcome on Jan. 14.

The opposition said the sentences were part of the president’s plan to silence popular opponents so he can secure a second mandate.

Naija News reports that Senegal is a french speaking neighbouring country to Nigeria.