Gambiaj.com – Dakar – Senegal) – Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, currently on an official visit to Qatar, has held a meeting with Karim Wade, son of former President Abdoulaye Wade and a prominent political figure. The discussions centered on the political, economic, and social situation in Senegal, according to a statement from the Senegalese presidency.

Described as constructive by official sources, the meeting addressed key issues concerning the country’s future.

However, the encounter has drawn sharp reactions in Senegal, with some lauding it as a sign of political inclusivity while others criticized it, questioning its implications for President Faye’s stance on integrity and governance.

Karim Wade, a former minister who has been residing in Qatar for years, remains a polarizing figure in Senegalese politics.

He was convicted in 2015 for illicit enrichment, a charge that his supporters maintain was politically motivated. His political activities have since been constrained, though he remains influential, particularly through his association with the Takku Wallu coalition.

This meeting comes in the wake of the recently concluded legislative elections, where President Faye’s party and the coalition involving Wade stood on opposing sides.

Wade had aligned himself with the Takku Wallu coalition, which included heavyweights like Amadou Bâ and Idrissa Seck’s Rewmi party, further intensifying political rivalries.

The Senegalese public’s response to the meeting has been mixed. While some view it as a necessary dialogue between two key political actors, others express concern about the optics of President Faye engaging with a figure convicted of financial misconduct.

Critics argue that the meeting undermines Faye’s professed commitment to probity and accountability, which have been central to his administration’s rhetoric.

Whether the dialogue between Faye and Wade will lead to tangible outcomes for Senegal remains to be seen, but it has undoubtedly reignited debates about the country’s political direction.