Senegal recently put an end to a parliamentary commission of inquiry created to examine the invalidation of Karim Wade’s candidacy in the presidential election scheduled for February 25. The commission announced in a press release that a judicial investigation had been opened, which automatically ended its mission in accordance with the Assembly’s regulations. This decision generated a lively debate, and was one of the factors leading to the postponement of the election, causing turmoil in the country for several weeks.
Since its creation on January 31 at the request of the PDS, Karim Wade’s party, the parliamentary commission aimed to examine the selection process of presidential candidates. Allegations of corruption targeting two judges of the Constitutional Council, leading to the ousting of Karim Wade, as well as accusations against Prime Minister Amadou Ba, were raised by Karim Wade’s supporters.
Faced with the complaints filed, in particular for defamation and contempt of court, the prosecutor decided to open a judicial investigation. In accordance with the internal regulations of the Assembly, the parliamentary committee had to put an end to its work following this opening of judicial information.
The controversy surrounding the Constitutional Council and its credibility was one of the determining elements which led President Macky Sall to postpone the election. This situation has generated an unprecedented political and institutional crisis. From now on, it is up to the courts to carry out a thorough investigation into this matter, thus ruling out the role of deputies in this process.
This development calls into question the transparency of the electoral process in Senegal and raises questions about the integrity of institutions. The outcome of this judicial investigation will be closely followed by Senegalese and international public opinion, while the country is going through a tumultuous period politically.
It is crucial for Senegalese democracy that all light is shed on this matter and that measures are taken to guarantee the credibility and legitimacy of the next presidential elections and of the judicial system as a whole.