afrol News, 3 July - Before the arrival of US President George Bush Jr to Senegal, the country's opposition and international human rights groups are mobilising protests. The opposition does not want to welcome the "American extremist" because of the US aggression in Iraq. Human rights group warn of a possible "impunity agreement".

In anticipation of Mr Bush's first roundtrip to Africa - starting on 6 July in Senegal - the International Federation of Human Rights Leagues (FIDH) has expressed its concern over the US campaign to signed so-called "impunity agreements" with governments like Senegal. The bilateral "impunity agreements" outline that US citizens suspected of committing crimes against humanity will not be handled over to the International Criminal Court.

FIDH has urged Senegalese authorities to withstand US pressure to sign such a deal. The US government threatens to withdraw military support to all countries not willing to sign. The group expected Senegal to be under extra US pressure to sign an "impunity agreement" before the arrival of Mr Bush.

Whether or not Senegalese authorities give in to US pressure, the American President will get a mixed reception when starting his Africa tour in Senegal. Opposition members of the Senegalese parliament already have condemned the government for receiving the man behind the Iraqi war and the representative of "American extremists".

Amath Dansokho - Senegal's ex-Minister of Urbanism and current Vice President of the National Assembly - recently added his voice to those sceptical to Mr Bush's visit to the country.

He said he had reasons to believe that one of the motives for the US President's visit to Senegal was the possible establishment of an American military base. An agreement of a military base in Senegal would have to be followed by the signing of an "impunity agreement", according to the current policies of the Bush administration.

Mr Dansokho, who also is Secretary-General of the Independence and Labour Party (PIT), expressed that the US President has been internationally isolated and that "only a few heads of state, like our [President Abdoulaye Wade], align with him in a war that benefits the American extremists."

- The journey of Mr Bush is a continuation of the grave situation created by his aggression in Iraq at international level, stated Mr Dansokho. He further condemned the US administration's human rights violations in Iraq and Mr Bush's support for the administration of the Israeli Premier, Ariel Sharon. Mr Dansokho warned President Wade of alienating Senegal's traditional allies in Europe, in particular France.

Also the Senegalese Committee for Intellectual Initiatives (CIIS) has announced its protest against the arrival of US President Bush. CIIS was to arrange protest marches against the US occupation of Iraq, demanding the withdrawal of US and allied troops.

The African roundtrip of Mr Bush in Africa - initially planned for February but postponed due to the Iraqi crisis - is to start in Dakar (Senegal) on 6 July. After a two-day stop in Dakar, the US President is to head on to Botswana, Nigeria, Uganda and finally South Africa. Mr Bush has never been to Africa before.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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