Gambiaj.com – (DAKAR, Senegal) – Newly revealed emails from November 2016 between controversial financier Jeffrey Epstein and former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers show that Karim Wade, son of former Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade, was discussed as a major political figure in West Africa, with Epstein providing an unusual and flattering political profile of the Senegalese politician.

In a message sent to Larry Summers on 29 November 2016, Epstein highlights what he describes as a potential meeting with Karim Wade.

He portrays Wade as “the son of the president of Senegal,” referencing Abdoulaye Wade, and characterizes him as “well educated and one of the most important figures in West Africa.” Epstein further claims that Wade had been “put in prison to prevent him from running against the current president,” an apparent reference to Wade’s 2015 conviction and incarceration on corruption charges, a case long denounced by his supporters as politically motivated.

Epstein goes on to describe Wade in strikingly glowing terms, calling him “the most charismatic and rational of all Africans” and someone who “has their respect.” The financier also alludes to economic interests surrounding Wade, writing that he, or his associates, had “just found OFFSHORE GAS,” a reference to Senegal’s then-emerging offshore gas discoveries.

Summers, who had earlier asked Epstein, “Who is the guy you had me meet?” responds that he looks forward to meeting Karim Wade.

The exchange offers a rare glimpse into Epstein’s political networking efforts in Africa and adds a new layer to the complex international connections surrounding Karim Wade, who has remained a prominent and polarizing figure in Senegalese politics.