Top Senegalese journalist joins presidential race
Supporters hold signs backing the re-election of Senegal’s President Abdoulaye Wade as hundreds of thousands rallied in his support in this July 23, 2011 photo. AFP PHOTO / MOUSSA SOW
What you need to know:
- Coulibaly is among three other candidates shortlisted to head the opposition coalition
DAKAR, Tuesday
A leading Senegalese journalist has accepted nomination to head an opposition coalition for the presidential race in February next year.
Mr Abdou Latif Coulibaly on Sunday accepted the nomination by ‘Benno Alliance 2012’, a splinter opposition coalition that comprises about eight political parties.
The investigative journalist and managing editor of the weekly La Gazette was among three other candidates shortlisted to head the coalition which broke away from the mainstream Benno Siggil Senegal.
Mr Coulibaly, in his late 50s, is also the director of a journalism training institute in Dakar and a writer who has published about eight books.
But his most renowned investigative reports hinge around President Abdoulaye Wade.
The latest report unveils a dubious contract the Senegalese government awarded a France-based aeronautic company to repair the presidential carrier.
Declaring the journalist as the favourite candidate to head Benno Alliance 2012, the chairman of the selection committee explained that Mr Coulibaly’s choice was based on his “unimpeachable character and popularity”.
Professor Babacar Guèye said Mr Coulibaly was closely followed by one of the three female presidential candidates, Prof Amsatou Sow Sidibe, and Mr Talla Sylla, whose parties are among the strongest in the coalition.
Accepting his nomination, Mr Coulibaly expressed optimism of winning the polls if organised freely and fairly by the electoral commission.
When elected president, he said his government would seek to protect and guarantee the constitution from any form of manipulation and thereby promote social cohesion.
Prominent on his agenda will also be to give free reins to the civil society and encourage social and political dialogue while giving consideration to the situation of Senegalese in the diaspora.
Mr Coulibaly is among 15 other candidates, including President Wade, if declared legitimate by the Constitutional Council, as well as three former premiers and four former foreign affairs ministers who will contest the polls on February 26, 2012.
