Politics
Former Nigeria President Obasanjo to mediate in Senegal political crisis
Former Nigeria President Olesegun Obasanjo
The Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) Heads of State and Government has approved the appointment of former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, the leader of a Joint AU-ECOWAS High Level Mission to Senegal.
The decision is contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the 40th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government in Abuja.
Obasanjo was due to arrive Sunday in Senegal in an attempt to mediate in the political crisis between the ruling party and the civil society-backed opposition.
The crisis was fuelled by a successful attempt by President Abdoulaye Wade, 85, to amend the country’s constitution to allow him to run for another term after his second mandate ends this month.
In 2001 he suggested a two five-year mandate but scrapped that in place of a seven year and indefinite mandate in 2008.
In June 2011, he attempted to modify crucial electoral laws which sparked bloody protests nationwide and forced him to withdraw the 25 percent win requirement that would have avoided a second round.
For several months now, the opposition has been agitating for the withdrawal of President Wade’s candidacy for the poll but the ageing leader insists he will run.
