Former prime minister charged with endangering state security

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

DAKAR- - Former prime minister Idrissa Seck, an emerging political rival to President Abdoulaye Wade, has been charged with endangering national security and remanded in custody until his trial.

Seck, who served as Wade's prime minister from November 2002 until April 2004, was formally charged on Saturday after spending a week in police detention.

During that time, Seck was questioned about allegations of massive overspending on public works in the city of Thies, where he serves as mayor.

The government has not spelled out publicly how Seck is supposed to have endangered national security or whether the charges against him are connected to allegations that he squandered 46 million CFA francs (US $84 million) on public works projects in Thies that were only budgeted at 25 billion CFA (US $45 million).