Djibo Leyti Kâ

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Djibo Leyti Kâ (born February 21, 1948^[1]) is a Senegalese politician and the head of the Union for Democratic Renewal (URD). He is currently serving in the government as Minister of State in charge of Maritime Economy and International Maritime Transport.

During the presidency of Abdou Diouf, Kâ served as minister of information and communications from 1981 to 1988, minister of planning and cooperation from 1988 to 1990, and minister of education from 1990 to 1991. In 1991 he became foreign minister, serving in that position until 1993; he then became interior minister, serving in that position until 1995. After this, Kâ broke with Diouf and his Socialist Party and formed the Union for Democratic Renewal;^[1] along with his supporters, he was suspended from the Socialist Party in December 1997 and resigned from the party in early April 1998.^[2] The URD won eleven seats and about 13% of the vote in the May 1998 parliamentary election.^[3]

Kâ ran for president in the February 2000 election, coming in fourth place with about 7.1% of the vote.^[3] He initially supported the opposition candidate, Abdoulaye Wade, for the second round, but then switched his support to Diouf a few days before the second round was held, following a televised appeal from Diouf for Kâ's support. There was speculation that Diouf would make Kâ prime minister if he was re-elected,^[4] but Wade won the run-off on March 19.^[3]

Kâ became Minister of State in charge of Maritime Economy and International Maritime Transport under Wade in April 2004.^[5]

[edit] References

1. ^ ^{a b} Rulers.org biography.
2. ^ "Senegalese dissidents quit ruling party", BBC News, April 2, 1998.
3. ^ ^{a b c} Elections in Senegal, African Elections Database.
4. ^ "Opposition support for Senegal's president", BBC News, March 14, 2000.
5. ^ List of Senegalese government ministers, Press-Francophone.org.