Idrissa Seck facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Idrissa Seck
Seck in 2024
Mayor of Thiès
In office 2002–2014
Preceded by	Talla Faye
Succeeded by	Talla Sylla
Prime Minister of Senegal
In office 4 November 2002 – 21 July 2004
President	Abdoulaye Wade
Preceded by	Mame Madior Boye
Succeeded by	Macky Sall
Personal details
Born	(1959-08-09) 9 August 1959 (age 66) Thiès, Senegal
Political party	Rewmi
Other political affiliations	PDS (until 2006)
Spouse	Ndèye Penda Tall

Idrissa Seck was born on August 9, 1959. He is a politician from Senegal. He served as the Prime Minister of Senegal from November 2002 to July 2004.

Mr. Seck was an important member of the Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS). He was seen as a close ally of President Abdoulaye Wade. Later, he became an opposition leader. He ran for president in the February 2007 election. He finished second, getting about 15% of the votes.

Early Life and Education

Idrissa Seck was born in Thiès, Senegal, on August 9, 1959. His parents were Assane Seck and Fatou Seck.

He started his schooling at a Koranic school. Then, he attended Randoulène Sud 2 school in Thiès for primary education. He completed his secondary studies at Collège Saint-Gabriel de Thiès. He earned his baccalaureate degree in 1981.

Mr. Seck received a scholarship to study in Paris, France. He joined the École des hautes études commerciales de Paris (HEC). In 1983, he studied at Sciences Po, focusing on Economy and Finance.

In 1989, he received a special fellowship from Princeton University in the United States. He studied at the Woodrow Wilson School.

Political Journey

Idrissa Seck joined the PDS political party when he was 15 years old. He managed President Wade's election campaign in 1988.

Early Government Roles

Mr. Seck served as Minister of Trade, Crafts, and Industrialization. This was during the government of Abdou Diouf. In 1998, he became the deputy leader of the PDS.

After Abdoulaye Wade became president in April 2000, Seck was appointed Minister of State. He also became the Director of the Cabinet. He was also elected Mayor of Thiès.

Becoming Prime Minister

President Wade chose Idrissa Seck as Prime Minister on November 4, 2002. He took over from Mame Madior Boye. This was the first time Wade had chosen a prime minister from his own PDS party. Seck served as prime minister until July 21, 2004.

During his time as prime minister, Senegal's economy grew strongly. The country saw high GDP growth rates in 2003 and 2004.

Political Challenges

In July 2005, Mr. Seck faced legal challenges. He was questioned about a road project in Thiès. He was also accused of other serious issues. On August 6, he was no longer part of the PDS party.

However, he never went to trial for these accusations. In January 2006, the serious accusations were dropped. In February, the other charges were also dismissed. He was released from prison.

Forming a New Party

On April 4, 2006, Idrissa Seck announced he would run for president in 2007. On September 24, 2006, he started a new political party. It was called Rewmi, which means "the country" in the Wolof language.

In January 2007, President Wade said Seck would return to the PDS. Seck confirmed this in February. However, he still planned to run for president.

Presidential Elections

2007 Presidential Election

The presidential election was held on February 25, 2007. Idrissa Seck came in second place. He received 14.92% of the votes. President Wade won the election in the first round. Seck won in his home area, the Thiès Department.

After the election, President Wade congratulated Seck on his victory. Seck was the only major opposition leader to do so.

2012 Presidential Election

Idrissa Seck ran for president again in 2012. He was against President Wade running for a third term. He ran under his Rewmi party. In the first round, he received 7% of the votes.

The second round of the election was between President Wade and Macky Sall. Idrissa Seck and other opposition candidates supported Macky Sall. Sall won the election. This was an important moment for democracy in Senegal.

2019 Presidential Election

Idrissa Seck ran for president for the third time in 2019. He led a group called "Idy 2019." He was the main opposition candidate against President Macky Sall.

President Sall won the election in the first round. Idrissa Seck came in second place. He received 20.51% of the votes. He won in the Thiès and Mbacké areas.

2024 Presidential Election

In April 2023, Idrissa Seck announced he would run for president in 2024. He believed the current president should follow the constitution. He also supported other opposition candidates' right to run.

Later Political Roles

Leader of Rewmi

After the 2012 elections, Idrissa Seck's Rewmi party supported Macky Sall. They joined a group called Benno Bokk Yakaar (BBY). However, in 2013, Rewmi left this group due to disagreements.

COVID-19 Response

In March 2020, President Macky Sall asked all political groups to work together. This was to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Idrissa Seck supported this plan. He wanted to help keep the people of Senegal healthy.

President of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council

On November 1, 2020, Idrissa Seck was appointed President of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council. This showed improved relations with President Sall. He said he accepted the role to help unite the country. This was important for facing challenges like the COVID-19 crisis.

Two members of his Rewmi party also joined the government. Idrissa Seck resigned from this position on April 24, 2023. He did this after announcing his candidacy for the 2024 presidential election.

Professional Life

Idrissa Seck founded two companies. One is GDP INITIATIVES, a consulting firm. The other is ÉPI SA, which focuses on education and health.

Political Imprisonment

On July 23, 2005, Idrissa Seck was taken into custody. He faced serious accusations and was held in Dakar prison. The government released a report about a construction project in Thiès. It suggested that Mr. Seck had gone over budget.

In 2006, the accusations against Idrissa Seck were reversed. After 199 days, he was released from prison on February 7.