The article is available for consultation on the website of the newspaper Le Monde. According to information provided, Karim Wade, son of former Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade, has renounced his French nationality, which would allow him to run in the Senegalese presidential election on February 25.
Karim Wade’s dual nationality has been a subject of debate in recent days, as the deadline for validating applications approached. Indeed, the Senegalese Constitution stipulates that any candidate for the presidency must be exclusively of Senegalese nationality. Deputy Thierno Alassane Sall even filed an appeal before the Constitutional Council to request the invalidation of Karim Wade’s candidacy.
However, the announcement of Karim Wade’s renunciation of French nationality seems to put an end to this controversy. The decree published in the French Official Journal attests to this. Karim Wade himself commented on the situation on social media, saying that the feud over his dual nationality was finally coming to an end.
However, some question the validity of Karim Wade’s candidacy file. Indeed, at the time of his filing on December 23, he declared that he only had Senegalese nationality, although he still had French nationality on that date. Thierno’s spokesperson Alassane Sall underlines this point and considers that the published decree does not affect the appeal filed.
The Constitutional Council is currently examining appeals filed by pre-validated candidates against other candidates. In addition to the appeal against Karim Wade, there is also a challenge to the candidacy of two candidates close to opponent Ousmane Sonko. Final decisions will be made by the Council in the coming days.
In conclusion, the renunciation of Karim Wade’s French nationality seems to put an end to the controversy over his dual nationality. However, questions remain regarding the validity of his application file. The Constitutional Council will have to rule on these questions in the coming days.