Rédaction Africa Links 24 with pierre Dieme
Published on 2024-03-11 14:40:01
This protocol was revealed by Confidentiel Afrique, presenting itself as “an independent pan-African digital newspaper that exclusively deals with first-hand information, not accessible to the general public or intermediaries in general.” The publication took an interest in our ongoing election and dedicated an exclusive study to it, published on June 23, 2023, with the title: “Senegal-Presidential Elections: Sassou N’Guesso, Mohamed VI, The Qatari Emir behind the Doha Protocol to put Karim Wade in the saddle”.
The study’s authors, journalists Ismael AIDARA and Hyppolyte GOURMANTIER, immediately affirmed that on the Dakar-Doha-Rabat-Brazzaville axis, “the last details of the Doha protocol are being played out, nearly wrapped up and with unsuspected implications in anticipation of the February 2024 presidential election, which Confidentiel exclusively reveals”. They claim that the smell of “Senegalese oil” is at the core of all the attention paid to our almost unprecedented election. The same smell that sparked “great interest from two giants in the sector who commissioned surveys between March and April 2023, predicting opposition leader Sonko as the winner”.
The journalists describe a scenario of what they call “forcible and distressing persecution” that has been unfolding against Ousmane Sonko, “the most popular and fierce opponent of the Macky Sall regime” since May 30th. They mention that in the midst of this scenario, “negotiations are being conducted discreetly on the Dakar-Doha axis, far from the Senegalese political cauldron marked since last June by judicial harassment, violent and deadly demonstrations, waves of arrests, and the opening of a dialogue without significant opposition presence”. To strengthen their claims, the two journalists reveal that Confidentiel Afrique has exclusive “credible information confirming continuous maneuvers orchestrated by King Mohamed VI, Congolese President Sassou Nguesso, and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamin Ben Hamad Al Thani to help Karim Wade, the son of former Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade (2000-2012)”.
They also mention “authorized diplomatic cables, emissaries in service and under the orders of the King, the Emir, and the Congolese president, who have been shuttling back and forth between the capitals Rabat-Brazzaville-Kinshasa and Doha in recent months to discuss with (…) Karim Wade the terms of his return to Senegal”. The journalists refer to what they call “the deal taking shape between Macky Sall and Karim Wade”, highlighting the “solid guarantees” provided by the “plenipotentiary mediators” engaged in their rapprochement. They also mention the role played by Félix Tshisekedi in the “Protocol”, who maintains a close relationship with Karim Wade, encouraged and supported by “a handful of wealthy Qatari businessmen involved in mining activities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), mainly in the Katanga Province”. The journalists view Tshisekedi’s involvement as a kind of payback to his benefactor Karim Wade, who introduced him to the Emir in March 2021 during an official trip to Doha meticulously organized.
They then mention Karim Wade’s “expeditious nocturnal release from the Reubeusse prison”, after which he became a powerful and indispensable lobbyist in Qatar, funded by the Emir and his entourage. The Emir has supposedly been overseeing negotiations behind the scenes since mid-January 2023. They also point out the involvement of a Sahelian oil magnate behind the Macky-Karim rapprochement mission. According to their information, the “Doha Protocol” revolves around a Macky-Karim Wade ticket in the upcoming February 2024 presidential election, aimed at weakening the radical opposition pole embodied by charismatic Pastef leader Ousmane Sonko. They suggest that a prime minister position, four strategic ministerial portfolios, and director-general positions of state-owned companies from Karim Wade’s party are prominent in the Doha negotiations.
However, another source revealed to them – at least according to their claims – that negotiations were not smooth, and “negotiations conducted on the Dakar-Doha axis by goodwill efforts proved unsuccessful in the end”. So, as they put it, it’s a reset, and the Doha-Rabat-Brazaville axis regains control, “to save President Macky Sall and welcome the son of former President Abdoulaye Wade back on a red carpet”.
The journalists end with secrets from surveys conducted by foreign oil companies “investing in the exploitation of gas and oil resources expected in 2024”. Two of these companies commissioned respected private firms in London and Sydney to assess the chances and weaknesses of a handful of potential candidates declared for the February 2024 presidential election between March and April 2023. One survey credits opposition leader Ousmane Sonko with 52.34% of the votes in the first round and suggests a massive shift of votes to the Pastef leader in a potential second round.
These latest revelations are not a secret, especially not for the soon-to-be outgoing president, “his” candidate, and his coalition. However, the “Doha Protocol” remains unknown to many of our compatriots. This is why it caught my attention. Some may argue that it is pure fiction. If the journalists from Confidentiel Afrique dare to imagine such a story, they would be truly daring and imaginative. In any case, I believe it until proven otherwise. The recent maneuvers of the president-politician since February 3, in agreement with his party and that of his ally Karim Wade, closely resemble this “Doha Protocol”. Doha, where the “people’s candidate” has been living for seven long years under the Emir’s blessing. This “Protocol” also reminds us that Macky Sall and Denis Sassou Nguesso are great friends. Let’s not forget his good rapport with King Mohammed VI as well. It’s not for nothing that he chose Rabat to move to with his family after leaving power with much regret. It would be grossly unfair to Ousmane Sonko to only associate his name with those two individuals, let alone imagine for a moment that he could be involved in a deal with them. They have different concerns and were probably not created by our Lord with the same formula. Time will tell, God willing.
Dakar, March 10, 2024
Mody Niang
Read the original article(French) on Dakar Matin
