Senegalese Independence Day, 50th Anniversary: Monument for African Renaissance

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Our home here in Cite Africa, on the edge of Ouakam, is a short walk from the new $28 million Monument for African Renaissance, the inauguration of which took place yesterday, in advance of the 50th anniversary of Senegal Independence Day. Tens of thousands of people arrived in buses wearing commemorative t-shirts and dresses, many with President Wade's image on them. Traffic was snarled -- rather an understatement.

Randi and I walked up to the monument in the late afternoon, weaving through the crowds. This clip was filmed en route.

It was explained that the people arrived by the busload and been paid to attend, cheer, and advertise their support for Wade and the monument, despite it being widely perceived as self-indulgence, and a tremendous waste of money, which might have been spent for health, education, and/or employment.

For news reports on the opening, note the following: CNN World, NY Times, BBC.