Gambiaj.com – (DAKAR, Senegal) – In a dramatic escalation of internal tensions, four senior executives of Senegal’s Parti Démocratique Sénégalais (PDS) have been expelled from the party for alleged “high treason.” Among those ousted is Doudou Wade, former Speaker of the National Assembly and nephew of former President Abdoulaye Wade, alongside Tafsir Thioye, Pape Saer Gueye, and Hawa Abdul Ba.

The PDS, already grappling with a significant internal crisis, issued a scathing press release on September 28, announcing the expulsions. The party accuses the group of engaging in fraudulent actions intended to undermine its internal candidacies ahead of the crucial legislative elections set for November 17, 2024.

Many observers of politics in Senegal believe that the party is undergoing an internal purge while setting the stage for positioning loyalists to Karim Wade for the upcoming elections.

The statement accuses the four high-profile politicians of engaging in “secessionist behavior,” “high treason,” and “collusion with the adversary.” It further alleges that they attempted to mislead party militants by manipulating candidacy files for the upcoming elections, aiming to “confiscate” them and create confusion within the party.

In a public warning, the PDS cautioned against any unauthorized use of its symbols or imagery by the expelled individuals, threatening legal action should any violations occur. The party emphasized that only Maguette Sy, the National Secretary in charge of elections, holds the authority to receive applications for candidacy nominations.

As the political landscape in Senegal becomes increasingly charged, the PDS remains focused on securing a strong performance in the upcoming elections. National Secretary General Me Abdoulaye Wade is tasked with determining the final list of candidates who will represent the party as part of the Takku Wallu Senegal (TWS) coalition.

The press release concluded with a rallying cry to party militants, urging them to “unmask the traitors” and mobilize to secure an “overwhelming victory” in the November elections.

The expelled leaders accuse Karim Wade of exploiting his father’s weakness to seize party control

In a joint press release, Doudou Wade, Tafsir Thioye, and Hawa Abdoul Ba, who were recently expelled from the PDS, directly accused Karim Wade of exploiting the vulnerability of his father, Abdoulaye Wade, the party’s leader.

“When political ignorance, cowardice, and incompetence meet tyranny, the result is nothing but incoherent and irrational decisions. Karim, hiding shamefully behind neoliberal policies and a contested subjugation, has crossed a line by once again disregarding the fundamental principles of the PDS.”

They went on to claim that Karim Wade has for years “abused the weakness of his elderly father” to impose arbitrary decisions that tarnish both his father’s image and his storied political legacy. According to the expelled members, the recent announcement of their exclusion underscores that the battle to restore the PDS to its rightful path, especially as the elections approach, is far from over.

“How can a party that hasn’t convened its governing bodies in years make such weighty decisions?” they asked, before dismissing the claim that party federations had endorsed their exclusion, labeling it a fabrication. They further reminded supporters of Karim Wade’s prior controversy regarding his nationality in 2018, stating, “Ridiculousness doesn’t kill!”

The political stakes are particularly high following the formation of an unprecedented alliance between the PDS and the Alliance Pour la République (APR) of former President Macky Sall. The coalition, announced just last week, is seen as a direct challenge to the Pastef party led by Ousmane Sonko, which seeks to secure a majority and drive forward its reform agenda. The alliance between the PDS and APR appears to be a strategic maneuver to weaken Pastef’s influence as the legislative elections draw near.

This latest expulsion adds a new layer of complexity to Senegal’s political scene, with the PDS attempting to shore up its internal unity while navigating external pressures from its new coalition and rivals like Sonko’s Pastef.