Senegal: Minister of Communication and Digital Economy resigns

Dakar, Senegal (PANA) – The Senegalese minister of Communication and Digital economy, Cheikh Abiboulaye Dièye, on Monday resigned from the government after the defeat of his coalition in the municipal and departmental elections held on Sunday.

"Our coalition has lost the elections which were free and fair. I have informed those whom it may concern,” he said at a news conference in the northern region of Saint-Louis.

He lost his bid for a second term at the city hall of his native town of Saint-Louis, where he has been the mayor since 2009.

Mr Dièye was appointed minister in April 2012 after the election of president Macky Sall whom his party, the Front for Socialism and Democracy (FSD/BJ), backed in the run-off presidential election against president Abdoulaye Wade.

Among government members who were defeated in the elections is Prime minister Mrs Aminata Touré, who stood as candidate for the town hall of Grand-Yoff, a locality near the capital, Dakar.
-0- PANA AAS/BEH/MSA/MA 30June2014