Senegal News & Current Events

Wade Denied a Third Term

 

Despite constitutional term limits, President Wade ran for a third term in 2012. His decision sparked violent protests that threatened to destabilize the country. Wade lost decisively in the second round in March to former prime minister Macky Sall.

Macky Sall's move from prime minister to president became official on April 2, 2012. The following day he named Abdoul Mbaye as prime minister, and completed his cabinet on the 3rd with Alioune Badara Cissé as foreign minister, Augustin Tine as defense minister, Mbaye Ndiaye as interior minister, and Amadou Kane as finance minister.

On September 1, 2013, President Sall fired Prime Minister Abdoul Mbaye along with his cabinet. A spokesman for the president did not say why Mbaye and his cabinet were dismissed. Sall announced Aminata Touré as the new prime minister. Touré became the second female prime minister of Senegal. Mame Madior Boye was the first. Touré previously served as justice minister where she pursued corruption cases within the government.

 

Feminist, Activist Touré Becomes Prime Minister

 

On Sept. 1, 2013, President Macky Sall dismissed Prime Minister Abdoul Mbaye and his government. Former justice minister Aminata Touré was named new prime minister. Known for her tough stance on corruption, feminist and human rights advocate Touré named her own cabinet within 24 hours of her appointment; the new official lineup included Sidiki Kaba, the former head of the International Federation of Human Rights, as justice minister.

President Sall dismissed Prime Minister Touré in July 2014, after she failed to win a seat in local elections. Mohamed Dionne was named the new prime minster two days later. During her time as prime minister, Touré was criticized by feminists for having only four women in her 32 member cabinet. She also came under attack for choosing Kaba to replace her as justice minister after Kaba came under fire for working to decriminalize homosexuality.

See also Encyclopedia: Senegal .
U.S. State Dept. Country Notes: Senegal