France calls for "restraint" ahead of Senegal election
Senegal – Excerpts from a reply by Alain Juppé, Ministre d’Etat, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, to a question in the National Assembly
Paris, 1 February 2012
(…)
France has adopted a crystal clear position on electoral processes in Africa.
First of all, we ask for the rule of law and fundamental freedoms to be respected. We call for the rejection of all acts of violence, wherever they come from, and we don’t commit to any candidate, on either side.
This is precisely the position we have adopted on Senegal, a country with a long, deep-rooted democratic tradition.
The Constitutional Council has cleared 14 candidates, including Mr Wade and excluding Mr Youssou N’Dour, which has prompted a number of demonstrations – sometimes peaceful, sometimes violent. (…)
I said we regretted that certain political strands weren’t represented. (…) We even called for the passing [of power] to younger generations. Let me tell you that the message was heard in Dakar. (…)
Finally, we of course called for restraint and no violence.
For many years, people have talked to us about what was largely a fantasy, i.e. “Françafrique” (1). I can tell you today that this is now no more than a wild notion./.
(1) France’s former, somewhat proprietorial Africa policy, often based on personal relationships.