Wade, the former President of Senegal A Textbook Case

Far from being a historian, I simply see myself as a witness to history. As a young Senegalese man-and, moreover, an African-who is proud of the journey of one of his leaders, I would not want someone of Wade's stature-a lawyer, economist, politician, and president, among other titles-to be consigned to the past. I would not want this "multidimensional" man to be "killed off" and then consigned to oblivion. Mr. Abdoulaye Wade is a man with an unusual career path, having spent twenty-five years in opposition before taking power in 2000. He is, moreover, an outstanding man of superior intelligence, whose class set him apart from the men of his generation. Wade is a great "visionary" and a "political animal." His famous "presidential ticket"-part of his plan to have his son succeed him-the briefcase full of money reportedly offered to the IMF representative, and the diplomatic incident with Côte d'Ivoire all make Abdoulaye Wade a "textbook case." He must be a source of inspiration for today's youth, for future generations, and for leaders here and abroad (in the diaspora). His successes and his blunders must surely inspire them.