Diouma Dieng Diakhate, a renowned fashion designer in Senegal, on Tuesday confirmed that she was putting herself up as a contender for the Senegalese presidency in the February 26 elections.

Speaking at a press conference in Dakar, Mrs. Dieng Diakhate said she would contest for the presidency following her nomination by the Movement of Unemployed Persons, which has drawn thousands of the country’s youths in a campaign against perceived social and economic injustices.

Apart from her involvement in the world of fashion, Madame Diakhate is said to be heavily involved in social issues to help needy people.
Diouma, who started her fashion designing career as a tailor is now a household name in the fashion industry, with a reputation for dressing many African presidents and first ladies.

Meanwhile she said politics was also her domain.

“I have never for once thought that I will be involved in politics.

During the last presidential elections, in 2007, if anyone told me I was going to be a candidate in the next election I wouldn’t have believed them. It’s destined by God, so I have to accept it,” she said.

Asked whether if in the event of a second round of voting she will lend weight to the leading candidates, she responded by saying: “We will not go for the second round because we will win it in the first round”.

There are presently more than 150 political parties in Senegal most of which are marginal and little more than pressure groups for their leaders.

The president of the Movement of Unemployed Persons, Mousier Niasse, said they have observed that the economy in Senegal was not in good shape and often times people, most of whom are poor and had voted for President Wade are being neglected.

“This is why we decided to put up a candidate who will work for the people when she assumed office” he said.

He said the country has recently witnessed a series of wildcat strikes thanks to skyrocketing prices of basic goods while people’s earning capacity has not improved.

“After these observations, we concluded that Diouma Dieng Diakhate is the right candidate to deal with the situation. She has and continues to do a lot for this country’s poor without many people knowing about it” Mousier Niasse remarked.

Source African Press Agency

African News from NetNewsPublisher.com

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