Comments on: Protest Against Senegalese President Turns Violent http://unitynews.org/2008/07/25/protest-against-senegalese-president-turns-violent/ Coverage by UNITY's Student Media Team! Fri, 18 May 2012 14:59:24 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Doug Mitchell http://unitynews.org/2008/07/25/protest-against-senegalese-president-turns-violent/#comment-199 Doug Mitchell Tue, 29 Jul 2008 12:47:36 +0000 http://unitynews.org/?p=447#comment-199 Hello all: Really great reading here as I understanding of where it comes from. I went to Dakar last year for eight days. It was my first trip to Africa. I was invited by a then fledgling organization called FAMEDEV (http://www.radioavg.com/website). The goal? To train radio journalists who were in exile from The Gambia. For those who do not know, The Gambia is am extreme police state, with many journalists having disappeared and well-known journalist (Chief Ebrima B. Manneh) currently either in captivity or dead. No one knows. A few radio journalists who fled The Gambia with their families to Dakar and one from Ivory Coast and I met for eight days to learn the finer parts of radio reporting, plan programming to be distributed over the internet and see if Adobe "Audition" 2.0 would work on Windows "Vista." It did, but not without a lot of cursing of a particular technology company, but I digress. Also, I trained them on the use of an audio recorder called the "Zoom H4" and the "Marantz PMD 660." They fled to Senegal because it was "safer" for them to practice their trade and work in general. I heard hours of stories about why they had to leave. Two journalists from The Gambia were in our group. I found those two to be very courageous to leave Banjul, come and get training and new gear and take it back with them. Since that time, one of the journalists I worked with was fired from her job, her newspaper bowing to government pressure. I gave them "radio" and work-flow help and they gave me a large lesson in living under the thumb of government control and life in very poor countries. I was reminded (I've lived and taught in Chile and traveled extensively in Latin America) that we in the US are very, very fortunate if not spoiled. I truly enjoyed my short visit to Dakar and met some wonderful people simply trying to practice qualitative journalism under trying circumstances. Not just political, but economic too. The lights would go out once a day. They bought a diesel fueled generator to keep the lights on. It took two hours of "negotiating" to buy it one afternoon. There was no air-conditioning but we did have Internet. I still communicate with everyone as we set up a listserv while there and we all continue to comment to each other. So, I was not there on any official state visit. Just an American journalist who said he could do a long-time friend and fellow trainer a favor, by sitting in for her as she had a scheduling conflict. I think my time in Dakar was an equitable exchange with me leaving knowledge but yet taking much more with me. Doug Mitchell NPR - next generation radio Team Leader UNITY 2008 Student Media Project Hello all:
Really great reading here as I understanding of where it comes from.
I went to Dakar last year for eight days. It was my first trip to Africa. I was invited by a then fledgling organization called FAMEDEV (http://www.radioavg.com/website). The goal? To train radio journalists who were in exile from The Gambia. For those who do not know, The Gambia is am extreme police state, with many journalists having disappeared and well-known journalist (Chief Ebrima B. Manneh) currently either in captivity or dead. No one knows. A few radio journalists who fled The Gambia with their families to Dakar and one from Ivory Coast and I met for eight days to learn the finer parts of radio reporting, plan programming to be distributed over the internet and see if Adobe “Audition” 2.0 would work on Windows “Vista.” It did, but not without a lot of cursing of a particular technology company, but I digress. Also, I trained them on the use of an audio recorder called the “Zoom H4″ and the “Marantz PMD 660.”
They fled to Senegal because it was “safer” for them to practice their trade and work in general. I heard hours of stories about why they had to leave. Two journalists from The Gambia were in our group. I found those two to be very courageous to leave Banjul, come and get training and new gear and take it back with them. Since that time, one of the journalists I worked with was fired from her job, her newspaper bowing to government pressure.
I gave them “radio” and work-flow help and they gave me a large lesson in living under the thumb of government control and life in very poor countries. I was reminded (I’ve lived and taught in Chile and traveled extensively in Latin America) that we in the US are very, very fortunate if not spoiled.
I truly enjoyed my short visit to Dakar and met some wonderful people simply trying to practice qualitative journalism under trying circumstances. Not just political, but economic too. The lights would go out once a day. They bought a diesel fueled generator to keep the lights on. It took two hours of “negotiating” to buy it one afternoon. There was no air-conditioning but we did have Internet. I still communicate with everyone as we set up a listserv while there and we all continue to comment to each other.
So, I was not there on any official state visit. Just an American journalist who said he could do a long-time friend and fellow trainer a favor, by sitting in for her as she had a scheduling conflict.
I think my time in Dakar was an equitable exchange with me leaving knowledge but yet taking much more with me.

Doug Mitchell
NPR - next generation radio
Team Leader
UNITY 2008 Student Media Project

]]> By: khadim http://unitynews.org/2008/07/25/protest-against-senegalese-president-turns-violent/#comment-145 khadim Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:34:09 +0000 http://unitynews.org/?p=447#comment-145 salam dear peer patriots,I hope you all are doing the samething as these posts to try to awake first your respectve family and then senegalese population.It's a duty for the diaspora,besides sending money back home,to give the right information to our familiee,relatives and friends.That's the only way we can elp ourselves and help senegal diamak xewe salam dear peer patriots,I hope you all are doing the samething as these posts to try to awake first your respectve family and then senegalese population.It’s a duty for the diaspora,besides sending money back home,to give the right information to our familiee,relatives and friends.That’s the only way we can elp ourselves and help senegal
diamak xewe

]]> By: omar http://unitynews.org/2008/07/25/protest-against-senegalese-president-turns-violent/#comment-129 omar Mon, 28 Jul 2008 02:45:12 +0000 http://unitynews.org/?p=447#comment-129 This contribution is particularly directed rowland Martin of cnn. Who I personnaly admire for his remarkable views and positions at cnn. For his unapologetic views on fareness and honnesty in governement. Would you support an african regim or any president who is trying to put his son as his dauphyn by manupulating the contitution of his country. Specialy when this son refused to take the senegalese citysenship only after his father became president? I suspect no. That's exactly what's happening in senegal. At UBJ I would like you to do deep reseach, inquiries and fact findings. And special talk to your fellow journalists in this country about these issues. This contribution is particularly directed rowland Martin of cnn. Who I personnaly admire for his remarkable views and positions at cnn. For his unapologetic views on fareness and honnesty in governement. Would you support an african regim or any president who is trying to put his son as his dauphyn by manupulating the contitution of his country. Specialy when this son refused to take the senegalese citysenship only after his father became president? I suspect no. That’s exactly what’s happening in senegal. At UBJ I would like you to do deep reseach, inquiries and fact findings. And special talk to your fellow journalists in this country about these issues.

]]> By: omar http://unitynews.org/2008/07/25/protest-against-senegalese-president-turns-violent/#comment-128 omar Mon, 28 Jul 2008 02:27:55 +0000 http://unitynews.org/?p=447#comment-128 I would like contribute in this great debat among senegalese abroad. to give you a little background. I'm one of the millions of youth who supported Wade to uproot the former regime of Diouf. My father was one of the founders of the actual ruling party of Wade. After the great victory of democratic elections. I was one of the guys who was saying (up to 2003) let's give a chance to this man who fought 26 years to become President. But Here is the fact. After, the use of the senegalese religious hierarchy as a shield to protect his survival, after the cover-ups, dismisal and amnisty of persons who where were guilty of the assassunation of the late suprem court juge Babacar Seye I started to ask myself several questions. Among them whom really are these people who took power in his multicentury democratic society? after a few months the aswer became clear to me after the many false pursuits agains journalists and and press organisations who dare to ask the same questions in the public place. some have been condamned under false pretences and some politicians, victims of murder atempts by close collaborators of the regim. all of I would like contribute in this great debat among senegalese abroad. to give you a little background. I’m one of the millions of youth who supported Wade to uproot the former regime of Diouf. My father was one of the founders of the actual ruling party of Wade. After the great victory of democratic elections. I was one of the guys who was saying (up to 2003) let’s give a chance to this man who fought 26 years to become President. But Here is the fact. After, the use of the senegalese religious hierarchy as a shield to protect his survival, after the cover-ups, dismisal and amnisty of persons who where were guilty of the assassunation of the late suprem court juge Babacar Seye I started to ask myself several questions. Among them whom really are these people who took power in his multicentury democratic society? after a few months the aswer became clear to me after the many false pursuits agains journalists and and press organisations who dare to ask the same questions in the public place. some have been condamned under false pretences and some politicians, victims of murder atempts by close collaborators of the regim. all of

]]> By: Unity ‘08: Final Notes « Global Wire Associates http://unitynews.org/2008/07/25/protest-against-senegalese-president-turns-violent/#comment-125 Unity ‘08: Final Notes « Global Wire Associates Sun, 27 Jul 2008 21:12:17 +0000 http://unitynews.org/?p=447#comment-125 [...] Unity News: “Why did we invite President Bush? “ NABJ President Barbara Ciara. “Why did we invite [...] [...] Unity News: “Why did we invite President Bush? “ NABJ President Barbara Ciara. “Why did we invite [...]

]]> By: mamzo http://unitynews.org/2008/07/25/protest-against-senegalese-president-turns-violent/#comment-124 mamzo Sun, 27 Jul 2008 20:00:14 +0000 http://unitynews.org/?p=447#comment-124 Nabou, I think that we need to stay within the limits of moderation so that not to blur the message we are all giving through these different posts. Comparing A. Wade to A. Hitler and making him the worst dictator Africa has never experienced will not help the message we want deliver!!! Unfortunately among the many of his african peers, the President of Senegal still benefit from the international opinion an image of democratic leader in the democratic desert that Africa represents. He is often invited to the G8 summit as a sort of mascot I would say...and even more,one or two years ago the Financial Times gave an echo to what is supposed to be a kind of discover: the wade formula, a formula on what should be the international oil price, formule without any meaning or direct effect to his people life... Just to say that this is just realpolitik, the world wealthiest nations showing that they handling the third world extreme poverty problem. Let's show in our company one of these african leaders, and of course let's choose the less clown looking one... a good casting? I don't think so, they should look better, but are they willing to??? But we people from Senegal, home or abroad we are not fool. So let's deliver a clear and strong message, because from the many different places we all are in the world we ve got this wonderful tool to exchange our ideas and deliver the truth to each others and to other people. To conclude as I already said, let's leave the violence of muscles and tongue, the denial, the absurdity to party of weak people... Nabou,
I think that we need to stay within the limits of moderation so that not to blur the message we are all giving through these different posts. Comparing A. Wade to A. Hitler and making him the worst dictator Africa has never experienced will not help the message we want deliver!!!
Unfortunately among the many of his african peers, the President of Senegal still benefit from the international opinion an image of democratic leader in the democratic desert that Africa represents. He is often invited to the G8 summit as a sort of mascot I would say…and even more,one or two years ago the Financial Times gave an echo to what is supposed to be a kind of discover: the wade formula, a formula on what should be the international oil price, formule without any meaning or direct effect to his people life… Just to say that this is just realpolitik, the world wealthiest nations showing that they handling the third world extreme poverty problem. Let’s show in our company one of these african leaders, and of course let’s choose the less clown looking one… a good casting? I don’t think so, they should look better, but are they willing to???
But we people from Senegal, home or abroad we are not fool. So let’s deliver a clear and strong message, because from the many different places we all are in the world we ve got this wonderful tool to exchange our ideas and deliver the truth to each others and to other people.
To conclude as I already said, let’s leave the violence of muscles and tongue, the denial, the absurdity to party of weak people…

]]> By: Newstips v2.0 » Blog Archive » Conference attack http://unitynews.org/2008/07/25/protest-against-senegalese-president-turns-violent/#comment-119 Newstips v2.0 » Blog Archive » Conference attack Sun, 27 Jul 2008 18:58:08 +0000 http://unitynews.org/?p=447#comment-119 [...] of Senegal: Too Many Journalists,” “Press Freedom Advocates Protest,”  ”Protest Turns Violent,” “Speech Marred by [...] [...] of Senegal: Too Many Journalists,” “Press Freedom Advocates Protest,”  ”Protest Turns Violent,” “Speech Marred by [...]

]]> By: nabou http://unitynews.org/2008/07/25/protest-against-senegalese-president-turns-violent/#comment-108 nabou Sun, 27 Jul 2008 06:10:58 +0000 http://unitynews.org/?p=447#comment-108 I am writing this note as a Senegalese born US citizen, to share with the entire world how a vaste majority of senegalese live today. In times of great turmoil in Senegal, it is important and extremely urgent to tell the world what a miserable condition people are living in under the rule of the greatest dictator of this century:Mr Abdoulaye Wade president of Senegal. I would not dare to think that after Hitler, the world would witness a dictator, a criminal,a heinous person,an assasin, a corrupted, a monarchist without taking any action to save this country that is on the verge of drowning. The fact of the matter is that Senegal is a third world country that had been colonized by the french who depleted all its natural resources back in the 1900's. Senegal has never gotten back from the devastating damages that the french inflicted. The worse part happens when the world watches with total indiffernce when another form of apartheid is being committed by Mr Wade to his own people. The chances for Senegal to make it to the status of developing country have been further compromised under the actual regime. In fact, since 2000 which marked a great turning point for Senegal, most people had HOPE in their hearts that they would live to see great changes happen in their lifetime , when electing Abdoulaye Wade. Nevertheless huge were their surprise and disapointment, when after 8 years of total dictatoreship and total chaos. Senegal has fallen below the level of poverty known to any nation. It is a shame that the US would let a perpetrator of heinous crimes enter its territory under the disguise of a democrat, when he in fact have robbed people of their freedom of speech, right to manifest, right to be free. It is a fact that Senegal is not a democratic country but rather a monarchist country run by one terrorizing family. It is a shame that the US declares war on terror and yet lets in its soil the biggest terrorists in the history of mankind:Abdoulaye wade and his son Karim Wade. It is also a shame when the US looks the other way when its political interest is not at stake. It is a shame when a prominent journalist {Mr. souleymane Jules Diop} is assaulted on live television on US territory and among his fellow journalists. This is to further demonstrate the non-existent freedom of speech in Senegal. It would be most regretful if the city of Chicago does not take any action against these criminals Mr. Abdoulaye Wade ,his body guard Alioune Diop and Pape Samba Mboup. They should be charged for violating the first amendement, for assault and battery, and for crimes against humanity. The courts must make sure that these perpetrators get punished for commiting crimes on US soil. These criminals should not be allowed to leave the territory until they have paid for their crimes. In conclusion , I am calling upon the US to take a closer look of the situation that is happening in Senegal. I am calling upon the World Bank to make sure that the monies given to Senegal are being used properly to finance the projects that they were hearmarked for. Those monies should not end up in president Wade's or his children's ( Karim and Sindiely Wade) or his wife's ( Viviane Wade) personal bank account. Thanks to all of you who took the time to read this post. I am writing this note as a Senegalese born US citizen, to share with the entire world how a vaste majority of senegalese live today. In times of great turmoil in Senegal, it is important and extremely urgent to tell the world what a miserable condition people are living in under the rule of the greatest dictator of this century:Mr Abdoulaye Wade president of Senegal. I would not dare to think that after Hitler, the world would witness a dictator, a criminal,a heinous person,an assasin, a corrupted, a monarchist without taking any action to save this country that is on the verge of drowning. The fact of the matter is that Senegal is a third world country that had been colonized by the french who depleted all its natural resources back in the 1900’s. Senegal has never gotten back from the devastating damages that the french inflicted. The worse part happens when the world watches with total indiffernce when another form of apartheid is being committed by Mr Wade to his own people. The chances for Senegal to make it to the status of developing country have been further compromised under the actual regime. In fact, since 2000 which marked a great turning point for Senegal, most people had HOPE in their hearts that they would live to see great changes happen in their lifetime , when electing Abdoulaye Wade. Nevertheless huge were their surprise and disapointment, when after 8 years of total dictatoreship and total chaos. Senegal has fallen below the level of poverty known to any nation. It is a shame that the US would let a perpetrator of heinous crimes enter its territory under the disguise of a democrat, when he in fact have robbed people of their freedom of speech, right to manifest, right to be free. It is a fact that Senegal is not a democratic country but rather a monarchist country run by one terrorizing family. It is a shame that the US declares war on terror and yet lets in its soil the biggest terrorists in the history of mankind:Abdoulaye wade and his son Karim Wade. It is also a shame when the US looks the other way when its political interest is not at stake. It is a shame when a prominent journalist {Mr. souleymane Jules Diop} is assaulted on live television on US territory and among his fellow journalists. This is to further demonstrate the non-existent freedom of speech in Senegal. It would be most regretful if the city of Chicago does not take any action against these criminals Mr. Abdoulaye Wade ,his body guard Alioune Diop and Pape Samba Mboup. They should be charged for violating the first amendement, for assault and battery, and for crimes against humanity. The courts must make sure that these perpetrators get punished for commiting crimes on US soil. These criminals should not be allowed to leave the territory until they have paid for their crimes.
In conclusion , I am calling upon the US to take a closer look of the situation that is happening in Senegal. I am calling upon the World Bank to make sure that the monies given to Senegal are being used properly to finance the projects that they were hearmarked for. Those monies should not end up in president Wade’s or his children’s ( Karim and Sindiely Wade) or his wife’s ( Viviane Wade) personal bank account.
Thanks to all of you who took the time to read this post.

]]> By: nabou http://unitynews.org/2008/07/25/protest-against-senegalese-president-turns-violent/#comment-107 nabou Sun, 27 Jul 2008 04:47:49 +0000 http://unitynews.org/?p=447#comment-107 Iam writing this note as a black african us citizen, who is originally from Senegal {west Africa} to share with the entire world what a majority of senegalese have been living today. In times of great turmoil in Senegal,it is important and extremely urgent to show the world what a miserable life people are living in Senegal under the ruling of the greatest dictator of this century:Mr Abdoulaye Wade president of Senegal.I would not dare to think that after Hitler, the world will witness a dictator, a criminal,a hainous person,an assasin a corrupted, a monarchist without taking any action to save this country that is on the verge of drowning. The fact of the matter is that Senegal is a third world country that had been colonized by the french who depleted all its natural resources back in the 1900's. Senegal has never gotten back from the devastating damages that the french caused , and the worse is when the world witness with total indiffernce when another form of apartheid is being committed by Mr Wade to his own people. The chances for Senegal to make it to the status of developing country have been further compromised under the actual regime.In fact, since 2000 which marked a great turning point for Senegal,when most people had HOPE in their hearts that they would live to witness great changes happened within their lifetime ,when electing Abdoulaye wade.Nevertheless huge was their surprise, disapointment, when after 8 years of total dictature ,total chaos,Senegal has fallen below the level of poverty known to any nation. It is a shame that the US would let perpetrator of hainous crimes enter the us territory while pertending to be democrat,and when they have robbed their people of their freedom of speech, right to manifest, right to be free. It is a fact that Senegal is not a democratic country but rather a monarchist country,where one family has terrorized their,people.It is a shame when US declares war against terror and let in its soil the biggest terrorist in the history fo mankind:Abdoulaye wade and his son Karim Wade. It is a shame when US look the other way when its political interest is not at stake.It is a shame when a prominent journalist{Mr. souleymane Jules Diop} is assaulted live on us territory and among his fellow journalists. To further demonstrate the non-existent freedom of speech in Senegal.It would be most shameful if the state of Chicago does not take any action against the criminals Mr. Abdoulaye Wade ,his body guard Alioune Diop and Pape Samba Mboup etc.. They should be charged for violating the first amendement, for assault and battery, for crimes against humanity.The us court system must make sure that these perpetrators get punished for commiting crimes on the us soil.These criminals should not be allowed to leave the territory until they have paid for their crime. In conclusion , Iam calling upon the US to take a closer look of the situation that is happening in Senegal. Iam calling upon the world Bank to make sure that the money lended to Senegal , is being used properly to finance the projects that it was destined to ,instead of being wired to the president wade and his son Karim Wade ,His wife Viviane Wade and his daughter Sindiely wade personal bank accounts Thank to all of you who took the time to read this post. Iam writing this note as a black african us citizen, who is originally from Senegal {west Africa} to share with the entire world what a majority of senegalese have been living today. In times of great turmoil in Senegal,it is important and extremely urgent to show the world what a miserable life people are living in Senegal under the ruling of the greatest dictator of this century:Mr Abdoulaye Wade president of Senegal.I would not dare to think that after Hitler, the world will witness a dictator, a criminal,a hainous person,an assasin a corrupted, a monarchist without taking any action to save this country that is on the verge of drowning. The fact of the matter is that Senegal is a third world country that had been colonized by the french who depleted all its natural resources back in the 1900’s. Senegal has never gotten back from the devastating damages that the french caused , and the worse is when the world witness with total indiffernce when another form of apartheid is being committed by Mr Wade to his own people. The chances for Senegal to make it to the status of developing country have been further compromised under the actual regime.In fact, since 2000 which marked a great turning point for Senegal,when most people had HOPE in their hearts that they would live to witness great changes happened within their lifetime ,when electing Abdoulaye wade.Nevertheless huge was their surprise, disapointment, when after 8 years of total dictature ,total chaos,Senegal has fallen below the level of poverty known to any nation. It is a shame that the US would let perpetrator of hainous crimes enter the us territory while pertending to be democrat,and when they have robbed their people of their freedom of speech, right to manifest, right to be free. It is a fact that Senegal is not a democratic country but rather a monarchist country,where one family has terrorized their,people.It is a shame when US declares war against terror and let in its soil the biggest terrorist in the history fo mankind:Abdoulaye wade and his son Karim Wade. It is a shame when US look the other way when its political interest is not at stake.It is a shame when a prominent journalist{Mr. souleymane Jules Diop} is assaulted live on us territory and among his fellow journalists. To further demonstrate the non-existent freedom of speech in Senegal.It would be most shameful if the state of Chicago does not take any action against the criminals Mr. Abdoulaye Wade ,his body guard Alioune Diop and Pape Samba Mboup etc.. They should be charged for violating the first amendement, for assault and battery, for crimes against humanity.The us court system must make sure that these perpetrators get punished for commiting crimes on the us soil.These criminals should not be allowed to leave the territory until they have paid for their crime.
In conclusion , Iam calling upon the US to take a closer look of the situation that is happening in Senegal. Iam calling upon the world Bank to make sure that the money lended to Senegal , is being used properly to finance the projects that it was destined to ,instead of being wired to the president wade and his son Karim Wade ,His wife Viviane Wade and his daughter Sindiely wade personal bank accounts
Thank to all of you who took the time to read this post.

]]> By: Baba http://unitynews.org/2008/07/25/protest-against-senegalese-president-turns-violent/#comment-106 Baba Sun, 27 Jul 2008 04:28:22 +0000 http://unitynews.org/?p=447#comment-106 Diop has succeeded in exposing Wade to the whole world. Now, any investegative journalist especially African American within the UNITY organization can take a look at what's going on in Senegal. Here is a country that is seeing most of his intellectuals and manpower fleeing the country frustrated & in dispear. This country with a huge potential has seen a reversal in its direction because Wade came pretending he was expert in all. Doesn't need any expert advices and surrounded himself with people with little skills and a lot of muscles. Here is a country where being an intellectual or having degrees is almost like a sin. Wade is ruling the country acting for international media as a democrat but behaving as a dictator. What happened in Chicago is the perfect illustration. Think about what would have happened to Diop if this had taken place in Dakar. He may have lost his life or at the least be thrown in prison until one day Wade in his "kindness" would instruct the "judge" to free him. I have a suggestion for journalist in the UNITY organization to investigate how Wade is tailoring the senegalese constitution at a very well timely spaced pace to suit the need for him to be replaced by his son. Thanks for the opportunity to let my voice be heard. Diop has succeeded in exposing Wade to the whole world. Now, any investegative journalist especially African American within the UNITY organization can take a look at what’s going on in Senegal. Here is a country that is seeing most of his intellectuals and manpower fleeing the country frustrated & in dispear. This country with a huge potential has seen a reversal in its direction because Wade came pretending he was expert in all. Doesn’t need any expert advices and surrounded himself with people with little skills and a lot of muscles. Here is a country where being an intellectual or having degrees is almost like a sin. Wade is ruling the country acting for international media as a democrat but behaving as a dictator. What happened in Chicago is the perfect illustration. Think about what would have happened to Diop if this had taken place in Dakar. He may have lost his life or at the least be thrown in prison until one day Wade in his “kindness” would instruct the “judge” to free him. I have a suggestion for journalist in the UNITY organization to investigate how Wade is tailoring the senegalese constitution at a very well timely spaced pace to suit the need for him to be replaced by his son.
Thanks for the opportunity to let my voice be heard.

]]>