« Wade était comme une éponge » : Les confidences d'Awa Guèye Kébé sur la vraie face du président libéral
As the centenary of Abdoulaye Wade's birth is being commemorated, tributes to the former head of state are multiplying. Invited to the Sunday Jury program on iRadio and ITV, former Minister of State Awa Guèye Kébé offered an intimate portrait of a man she worked alongside for many years at the highest levels of government. Beyond the political leader, she described a man who listened, capable of transforming an idea into a national project. The former minister notably revisited the origins of the "Cases des tout-petits" (Early Childhood Centers) program, one of the flagship initiatives of the liberal regime in the field of early childhood. According to her, the project arose from discussions with President Wade about community infrastructure for women. "He told me about an idea he had for toddlers. We discussed the feasibility of the project." Later, when he decided to implement an early childhood care system, he thought of me,” she recounts. Appointed Minister Delegate for Early Childhood at the Ministry of Family Affairs, then headed by Aminata Tall, Awa Guèye affirms that she participated in the realization of an ambitious vision personally championed by President Wade.
To create a "new Senegalese"
According to her, the goal of the "Case des tout-petits" (Early Childhood Center) went far beyond simple childcare. The project aimed to create "a new Senegalese citizen," rooted in their culture but open to the world. "In these centers, we addressed education, health, early learning, and introductions to computers and English. Everything was designed with a holistic approach," she explains. The former minister also emphasizes the community-based nature of the program. The facilitators were recruited from the local communities, while the children's meals often relied on in-kind contributions from the local population. Elders also played a role in transmitting cultural values. For Awa Guèye, if this vision had been pursued in its original spirit, it would have resulted in a generation today that is proficient in both international languages and digital tools.
"A man who listened"
Faced with criticism portraying Abdoulaye Wade as a leader who imposed his decisions without consultation, the former minister offers a radically different perspective. "That wasn't my experience with him," she asserts. She describes a president who was inquisitive, attentive to his colleagues' suggestions, and always seeking new ideas. "Wade was like a sponge. When you told him about an idea that would be useful for Senegal, he would absorb it and might call you back later to explore it further," she testifies. According to her, the major achievements of the liberal regime were not the result of improvisation, but the culmination of many years of reflection and conceptualization. "Abdoulaye Wade did nothing by chance. Everything he accomplished had been thought out, studied, and carefully considered," she maintains.
A direct but respectful leader
Another common misconception about the former president is that of a leader quick to reprimand his staff. Here again, Awa Guèye strongly qualifies this image. "Mr. Wade never yelled at me," she asserts. She does, however, acknowledge that he was a direct man who clearly expressed both his satisfaction and his dissatisfaction. "He didn't mince words. When he was happy, you could feel it. When something upset him, you could feel it too," she explains. For the former minister, this frankness should not be confused with authoritarianism. On the contrary, she sees him as "someone who listened" and "a true democrat." Through this testimony, Awa Guèye paints a portrait of a visionary Abdoulaye Wade, committed to reflection, innovation, and developing the skills of his colleagues. This perspective enriches the many accounts devoted to the man who remains one of the major figures in the contemporary political history of Senegal.
Commentaires (21)
Participer à la Discussion
Règles de la communauté :
💡 Astuce : Utilisez des emojis depuis votre téléphone ou le module emoji ci-dessous. Cliquez sur GIF pour ajouter un GIF animé. Collez un lien X/Twitter, TikTok ou Instagram pour l'afficher automatiquement.