Presidential elections in this country come next February, and I wonder how these will frame next year’s April 4 celebrations. Are you following the news out of Abidjan? Everyone should be, since it underscores not only the importance of fair and legitimate voting, but a responsible transfer of leadership.

I’m really curious to see if our man in power here is really going to try and seek a third term. Apart from being really old (you get an idea of his age below when you listen to him speak- even if you don’t understand French), the constitution was created to limit the number of terms that a president can stick around. Unfortunately, Wade has already announced that as Prez he can change the constitution and go for a third try. A risky maneuver on a continent that is rife with questionable leadership, corruption and undemocratic democracy.

L’évolution vers la qualité: Behold President Wade speaking about how small he made today’s military parade in celebration of Independence Day- but not, as he notes over and over again, at the expense of quality. (Note: if you are interested in listening to more than a minute of political blah blah blah, you can hear him switch to Wolof halfway through).

My favorite phrase in French is “C’est pas évident”. It’s an expression that pretty much fits  every situation and means “it’s not obvious or readily understood”. I use it all the time in this country, and I could apply it to the political situation here as well. While Ivory Coast has bodies burning in the streets, I’d like to think that all we’ll see over the following year in Dakar are the usual piles of burning tires. The two countries may have fundamental differences, but what is going on down south should serve as a cautionary tale to whoever is minding the electoral shop here in Dakar.

So really- Joyeux Anniversaire, Senegal. May the next twelve months enjoy a little more clarity than what I’m currently seeing out my window.