Senegal presidential candidate visits Somersfield Academy

September 24, 2011 — Academy celebrated UN’s Day of Peace with a visit from a candidate for President of Senegal. Moustapha Mbacke, a guest of the school’s humanities teacher Jason Hammer, spoke to the M5 class on Wednesday about his plans for the future of his country, should he be elected. Mr Mbacke also answered a range of questions from the students about the state of Senegal, the nation’s political climate, sustainable development and how a partnership with the West African nation could help Bermuda. Shaykh Bamba, Mr Mbacke’s great-grandfather, is considered an influential figure in the country’s resistance to French colonial occupation, leading peaceful protests and becoming known as “the man who the French cold not kill”. Mr Mbacke is just one of 20 candidates who have announced their intention to run in the February 26 election against current President Abdoulaye Wade.

Originally published in The Royal Gazette