The Senegalese President, Abdoulaye Wade, has accepted in principle to meet members of the opposition for the purpose of discussing national issues. The President disclosed his readiness for the meeting on Senegalese television over the weekend when he received Mr Alioune Tine, the head of an NGO for the defence of human rights in Africa (Raddho), who initiated the move.

It would be recalled that when President Wade won the February 2007 presidential elections, he rejected audience with the opposition, saying: “When I was just newly elected, the opposition leaders did not accept my victory. I too had no reason to receive them that time but now Mr Tine has convinced me to meet them and have a dialogue with them.”

Meanwhile according to the spokesperson for the opposition, Professor Madior Diouf, the opposition leaders met yesterday to discuss the issue. He said: “We are going back to our respective parties to inform our militants about the Raddho proposal to meet with the President to discuss national issues,” adding that it is only after sounding the opinion of their supporters tomorrow that they could adopt a position on the proposal.