SENEGAL-PRESIDENT OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY DEFIES

UNCLAS DAKAR 002438 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR AF/W, AF/RSA, DRL, INR/AA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PINS KDEM SG SUBJECT: SENEGAL-PRESIDENT OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY DEFIES PRESIDENT WADE REF: Dakar 2287 SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (SBU) Pressed on December 28 by President Wade to resign from his position as Chairman of the National Assembly, Macky Sall, one of Wade's former Prime Ministers, refused to do so indicating that he had "done no wrong." This is an unprecedented riposte for the ruling PDS (Democratic Party of Senegal) where Wade?s authority is seldom challenged. The crisis between the President and the Chairman of the National Assembly is now reaching a climax and heralds more political turbulence ahead. END SUMMARY. NO LEGAL EXIT -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Generally, when Wade faces opposition from a member of his party he does not hesitate to use extreme measures such as dissolving institutions to rid himself of dissenters. In the case of Macky Sall however, the Senegalese Constitution prevents Wade from dissolving the National Assembly before June 2009 (i.e. two years after the Assembly's election). Although legislation to reduce the term of office of a National Assembly Chair from five to one year is in the pipeline, Sall could constitutionally still lead the Assembly for at least another six months. Doudou Wade, the leader of the majority and Wade's nephew commented: "this is too long, he must resign to respect the will of the President or we will no longer respect his authority." DIGGING THE TRENCHES -------------- ¶3. (SBU) President Wade has instructed Doudou Wade to orchestrate a campaign to force Sall to resign. It is reported that he has obtained signatures from 107 of the 150 Members of Parliament for a motion to that effect. However, Sall has made it clear that these signatures calling for his resignation are not legally binding and he will not resign as a matter of principle. A staff member of the Assembly told Embassy that the government has already started to tighten the Assembly's financial spigot and this may be part of a strategy to weaken Sall's leadership. Meanwhile, Sall has initiated a counter offensive by organizing a group of Deputies led by Aliou Dia who are calling for the independence of the legislative branch. Dia indicated that he has support from one third of the Assembly and will conduct "a media campaign." Sall has also activated his ethnic political base in the River valley area (north of Senegal) and some religious leaders from that area are already underlining Sall's significant contributions to Wade's reelection last February and thus that he deserves to Chair the Assembly. COMMENT -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Wade's battle with the Chair of the National Assembly is just another chapter in the post-Wade succession battle. Macky Sall, who believes that he is a legitimate contender after serving both as Prime Minister and leading Wade?s Party to legislative victory, is not ready to stay on the sidelines and let Wade's son Karim assume the mantel of the party's future nominee. Both Wade and Sall are determined to avoid defeat in this confrontation. Though this is a purely political battle within the PDS, it has lead to a much needed public debate about the importance of independence for the legislative branch and the impact of executive interference. PIAZZA