Below was culled from Allafrica website.

Chi Jaama

Joe Sambou


Mame Madior Boye initially blamed the weather



By Chris Simpson
BBC, Dakar


Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade has sacked the prime minister and the
rest of the government.
Many observers believe the dismissal of Mrs Mame Madior Boye is linked to
the government's handling of the loss of the Joola ferry with more than
1,000 people on board, in September.


Wade immediately blamed those operating the ferry

A full technical inquiry into the loss of the Joola is due to be submitted
to the presidency and is believed to contain damning evidence of serious
shortcomings in the running of the ferry service.

The dismissal of Mame Madior Boye, the first woman prime minister in
Senegal's history, comes after weeks of speculation regarding her political
future.

A top presidential aide, Idrissa Seck, later announced he will be the new
prime minister.

Seen as a technocrat, appointed partly because of her lack of political
allegiance, Mrs Madior Boye has been the target of strong criticism by
sections of the Senegalese media and the country's political class.

Often overshadowed by a highly charismatic and sometimes authoritarian
president, Mrs Madior Boye has often looked ill at ease in the prime
ministerial role.

Harsh weather

She came under strong attack in September when, with Mr Wade out of the
country, it was the prime minister who broke the news that the Joola ferry
had been lost at sea.

Mrs Madior Boye said at the time that the capsizing of the Joola was due to
harsh weather conditions, ruling out any problems with the boat itself.


Many of the ferry victims were young children


That statement was rapidly challenged, as were the initial casualty figures
provided by the prime minister.

Two ministers have since resigned over the loss of the Joola.

A commission of inquiry has submitted a full report on the ferry disaster to
President Wade, and its details are expected to be announced shortly.

It seems likely that the dismissal of Mrs Madior Boye and the dissolution of
her government are strongly linked to the findings of the commission.







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