Senegal's Opposition Presidential Candidate Coulibaly Focuses On Graft

20 December 2011

Bloomberg – (DAKAR) Senegalese presidential candidate Abdou Latif Coulibaly announced on December 20 his split from opposition political group Benno Siggil Senegaal to form his own group, Benno Alternative 2012, and pledged to focus specifically on battling graft if he wins the presidency in the February election against incumbent President Abdoulaye Wade. After Coulibaly’s announcement on December 20, he asserted in a phone interview with Bloomberg that “Corruption is the biggest problem in Senegal.” This sentiment echoes widespread accusations of financial misconduct against Wade’s administration and the need for good governance practices. Coulibaly’s split from the larger group further fractures the opposition against Wade.

Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-12-20/senegal-candidate-pledges-graft-fight-as-opposition-fractures.html

(Reliability: 47.07 Very High)

Comment: Coulibaly’s choice of graft as a campaign platform reiterates the nationwide unhappiness with the current political and business environment and resulting tensions. Regardless of the election outcome, the elected president may have to publicly address calls for reform, work to increase investor confidence in the country, and improve public confidence in the country’s financial markets and quality of life.  

(Analytic Confidence: High)