IDRISSA SECK

A Political Journey of Resilience and Leadership

Idrissa Seck, a prominent figure in Senegalese politics, was born on August 9, 1959, in Thiès, Senegal, to Assane Seck and Fatou Seck (born Diop). His early education began at the Koranic school before he continued his studies at Randoulène Sud 2 school for his primary education and later attended Collège Saint-Gabriel de Thiès for his secondary education, culminating in his baccalaureate in 1981.

With a scholarship in hand, Seck pursued further studies, enrolling in the preparatory class at the École des Hautes Études Commerciales de Paris (HEC) at Marcelin-Berthelot high school in Saint-Maur-des-Fossés, France. Subsequently, he joined Sciences Po, specializing in the "Economy and Finance" section. In 1989, he benefited from Princeton University's Parvin Fellowship program, where he studied at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs.

Seck's professional career is diverse and impactful. He is the founder of the consulting firm GDP INITIATIVES (Global Development for Peace) and Epistemon International (ÉPI SA), an education and health institution.

His political journey began early when he joined the Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS) at the age of 15, becoming a key figure in Senegalese politics. He served as Wade's campaign director during the 1988 Senegalese presidential election. Seck's political career saw him hold various significant positions, including Minister of Trade, Crafts, and Industrialization in Abdou Diouf's government. He later became the deputy leader of the PDS in 1998, succeeding Ousmane Ngom.

After Abdoulaye Wade assumed office in April 2000, Seck was appointed Minister of State and Director of the Cabinet. His tenure saw significant restructuring within the PDS, with Seck assuming the role of Deputy National Secretary and later becoming the Mayor of Thiès.

Seck's political ascendancy reached new heights when he was appointed Prime Minister by Wade on November 4, 2002, marking the first time Wade had appointed a prime minister from the PDS during his presidency. However, his term was short-lived, as he was dismissed by Wade on July 21, 2004.

The political landscape became turbulent for Seck when he was detained in July 2005 on allegations of corruption related to a road project in Thiès. Subsequently expelled from the PDS, Seck faced legal battles but never faced trial. Despite the challenges, he announced his candidacy for the presidency in 2007, forming the Rewmi party.

Seck's political resilience was evident in subsequent elections, including the 2012 and 2019 presidential elections, where he emerged as a significant opposition candidate. His party, Rewmi, participated in a boycott of the June 2007 parliamentary election, signaling his commitment to political principles.

Over the years, Seck's political journey has been marked by ups and downs, including periods of imprisonment and political reconciliations. His dedication to public service and commitment to democratic principles have solidified his position as a key figure in Senegalese politics.

Reference:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idrissa_Seck