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2024-02-24 Africa Subsaharan

Opposition's call for presidential election date in Senegal goes unmet

[AFRICANEWS] Opponents of the postponement of the presidential election and the extension of Macky Sall's mandate in Senegal
... a nation of about 14 million on the west coast of Africa bordering Mauretania to the north, Mali to the east, and a pair of Guineas to the south, one of them Bissau. It is 90 percent Mohammedan and has more than 80 political parties. Its primary purpose seems to be absorbing refugees...
were left disappointed as their call for a specific election date went unanswered by the President.

The opposition had been pushing for the election to take place in March, aligning with the constitutional deadline of April 2nd for the handover of power. However,
man does not live by words alone, despite the fact that sometimes he has to eat them...
President Macky Sall has stated that he is awaiting the outcomes of a dialogue he initiated last week before committing to a precise election date.

This dialogue, set to take place next Monday and Tuesday, could potentially involve participation from imprisoned opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye of the former Pastef party, as well as his mentor Ousmane Sonko. President Macky Sall has indicated openness to Sonko's release.

The opposition's demand for clarity on the election date underscores the heightened political tensions in Senegal, as various factions await the next steps in the electoral process.

''I will end my term on April 2nd'', Senegal's president pledges
[AFRICANEWS] Senegal's president has vowed to abide by the law and to not extend his mandate beyond April 2nd.

Macky Sall, who is wrapping up two terms in office, postponed the presidential election for 10 months, citing unresolved disputes over who could run.

But his move was struck down by the Constitutional Court as illegal.

He spoke Thursday (Feb.22) on live television.

"Having been sworn in on 2 April 2019, 2 April 2024 completes the five-year calendar, so that's the end of the Mandate. And I intend to stop at this mandate. After April 2, I intend to step down as President of the Republic."

Sall's clarifications come after the ruling coalition voted to extend his rule in early February.

At the time, some opposition politicians left the session as the national assembly rescheduled the election for December.

Opposition groups are now keeping pressure on Sall who said he will hold talks next week.

"The country cannot remain without a President of the Republic. The forthcoming dialogue will certainly have to decide or propose whether a consensus can be reached on the way forward. I hope that the [political] players who are to gather around me to look at the nation's best interests [...] I'll listen to what the dialogue has to say, and after the dialogue, the Constitutional Council will certainly be able to clarify things."

Fifteen out of the twenty candidates approved to contest in the delayed presidential elections have united in a call for the vote to be conducted no later than April 2nd.

In a historic ruling, the Constitutional Court ordered the government to set a new election date as soon as possible, which it is yet to do.

Senegal has been seen as one of West Africa’s most stable democracies, but disputes over the election have plunged the country into a political crisis that has sparked deadly protests.

At least three people have been killed by security forces and dozens injured

Posted by Fred 2024-02-24 2024-02-24 00:15|| || Front Page|| [40 views ] Top
File under: Tin Hat Dictators, Presidents for Life, & Kleptocrats