By
Alpha Jallow
Senegal’s former President Abdoulaye Wade has threatened to destabilise the country if his son, who is still on trial over charges of corruption, is convicted by the special court.
His speech at the Obelisk Square in downtown Dakar was far from the usual political rethorics employed. At a well attended meeting yesterday afternoon, former President Wade said that if (current) President Macky Sall is intelligent, he will immediately release his son Karim Wade, still in detention over ‘ll-gotten wealth’, the alleged illegal acquisition of real estate and companies with a value of approximately USD 240 million, whilst serving as a minister and advisor to his father.
It has been said that the ‘CREI’, a special court for illegal enrichment or corruption cases, was created by the government of President Macky Sall to silence his political opponents. Wade called for his Son to be tried in the High Court instead.
He emphasised that he would rather die than to allow this illegal court to sentence his son on the false allegation of corruption.
“If Karim Wade is sentenced by the CREI, I am ready to give my life ” Wade opined in the midst of hundreds of party supporters and sympathisers. According to former President Wade the CREI is an outlawed institution. He said it was created by President Abdou Diouf but he outlawed it when he came to power in 2000.
Former President Wade further alleged that the CREI court is orchestrated by those in power including the minister of justice.
Abdoulaye Wade’s allegations and threats have not gone down well however with those in power. During a special meeting of senior members of the ruling APR party yesterday evening, the APR big wigs said that if former president Wade’s intention is to create instability in the country, they will not consider his age but will deal with him within the confines of the law.
It is also important to note that for quite a while now; the main opposition Senegalese democratic party (PDS) led by former President Wade has been increasingly attacking the current government, including President Macky Sall.
Since former President Abdoulaye Wade’s return to the country in September last year, he has stepped up attacks on the current government.
Last week the former president and his supporters held an anti government protest march which was violently crushed by security forces resulting in many arrests and the subsequent imprisonment of opposition youth leaders.
