Robert Sagna Laments Politics in Armed Forces

The vote of the security forces in the presidential election in Senegal did not go down well with Robert Sagna, the candidate of "Takkou Defaraat Sénégal" in the February 25 presidential polls.

According to Mr Sagna, the vote of the security forces could be a way of politicising the Armed forces.

He made those comments at a political rally on Monday in Thies. " Considering the vote of the soldiers, the professionalism of the Senegalese Army Forces based on good attitude and discipline, could lead to their involvement in politics and the politicising of our army forces," he said.

According to Robert Sagna, this politicising of the Army Forces is a very bad thing because the soldiers deserve promotion and appropriate welfare, not getting them involved in politics. The Senegalese army needs to be autonomous,'' the Ziguinchor' Mayor said.

For the "Takkou Defaraat

Senegal" candidate, the country is blessed because its military personnel are not operating like Mafia organisations like one can see in many countries in the sub-region countries. "It is why they must be given appropriate means to make them keep the good job so that we can continue to enjoy our Army Forces and be proud of its units, who always work hard to assure the stability of our country and its borders," he said.

Robert Sagna asserted that the "Le Joola" case showed that the military had been politicised long since, as it was managed by the military before being handed over to civilian. "More than six years Le Joola was managed by military personnel nothing happened to the ship but just one month after being handed over to civilians it Sunk," he added.

On the issue of young illegal migrants to Europe by boats, Robert Sagna advised them to be patient as things are going to change radically if he was elected at the helms of the country on February 25.

"Don't lose hope I know that you are really discouraged but the time for Change is not far," he concluded.