SENEGAL ELECTIONS NOW SET FOR FEBRUARY 2007, BUT

UNCLAS DAKAR 000185

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/W, AF/RSA, DRL/PHD AND INR/AA
PARIS FOR POL - D'ELIA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV KDEM KJUS SG
SUBJECT: SENEGAL ELECTIONS NOW SET FOR FEBRUARY 2007, BUT
DATE FOR SECK TRIAL REMAINS UNCLEAR

REF: A. DAKAR 0181


B. DAKAR 0133

C. 05 DAKAR 3184

D. 05 DAKAR 2933


1. On January 24, the prosecution dropped for lack of
evidence "the threat to national security and defense"
charges against former Prime Minister Idrissa Seck (Ref A)
and his co-defendants: Hassan Fares, Mbaye Coulibaly,
Sandrine Fares, Sandrine Madec, El Hadji Ndary Gueye and
Coumba Ngouye Thiam. The remaining embezzlement charges
relate to the Thies Public Works Case. The prosecution
has also accused Seck and one of his attorneys of
"irregular release of correspondence." The senior
investigative judge may still send these charges to be
heard by the courts.


2. On January 19, the Constitutional Court declared
itself incompetent to rule on the validity of the law
extending the term of National Assembly Deputies beyond
June 2006, thereby coupling the presidential and
legislative elections. With the Constitutional Court's
ruling, both elections are now on track for February 2007.

Jackson