By Rédaction Africa Links 24 with africanews.com
Published on 2024-01-17 19:20:13
The renunciation of Karim Wade’s French nationality has been confirmed, solidifying his candidacy for the upcoming presidential election in Senegal. This resolution comes after a dispute over his dual nationality and sparked actions from French President Emmanuel Macron. Newly appointed Prime Minister Gabriel Attal officially released Karim Wade from his allegiance to France through a signed decree, just days before the final list of candidates is set to be published.
Thierno Alassane Sall contested Karim Wade’s eligibility, claiming that he would still be a holder of French nationality, which contradicts the Senegalese Constitution. The Constitution mandates that presidential candidates must exclusively hold Senegalese nationality, possess their civil and political rights, and be between 35 and 75 years old on the day of the election, with proficiency in the official language, French.
Despite a prior conviction and six-year prison sentence for illicit enrichment in 2015, Karim Wade, 55 years old, was granted a pardon in 2016 by President Macky Sall, further solidifying his eligibility for the upcoming presidential race. The National Assembly also passed a law in August to clear the way for his participation, marking a significant turn of events and providing clarity and assurance to his presidential aspirations.
With the resolution of Karim Wade’s dual nationality concern, the political landscape in Senegal is set to evolve as it paves the way for a more streamlined and focused presidential campaign. The nation will be keenly watching how this development shapes the dynamics of the upcoming political contest.
