Rédaction Africa Links 24 with pierre Dieme
Published on 2024-02-28 11:33:20
For the opposition, this option would mean unlawfully extending Macky Sall’s mandate. But the presidential camp dismisses these accusations, asserting that they respect the law and the decision of the Constitutional Council.
The proposal made on Tuesday, February 27 by the national dialogue wanted by President Macky Sall to postpone the presidential election to June 2 has sparked debates. Indeed, a portion of the opposition strongly criticizes this “illegal and non-negotiable proposal” because it would create a legal vacuum: President Sall’s mandate expires on April 2, yet he would remain in office until the new election date.
“This proposal is completely illegal and non-negotiable,” stated Amadou Ba, spokesperson for the “Diomaye President” Coalition supporting the candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who is in prison, as cited by RFI. According to him, “postponing the election by an additional four months with the addition of the proposal that President Macky Sall remains in power during this period is a fraud against the decisions of the Constitutional Council.” The Council had indeed decided that the election could not take place beyond the presidential mandate ending on April 2.
On the side of the Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS), which participated in the dialogue, there is satisfaction because their candidate Karim Wade, rejected by the Constitutional Council, could see his candidacy reinstated. However, according to Babacar Gueye, a constitutional expert and member of the “Aar Sunu Elections” collective, which boycotted the dialogue, setting the date for June 2 would undermine the decision of the Constitutional Council.
Facing these criticisms, Maguette Sy, national secretary in charge of elections for the ruling party, interviewed by RFI, believes they are based on “bad faith.” According to her, “things will follow their course” and it will ultimately be up to President Sall to, by decree, set the date of the election.
Brice Folarinwa from SenePlus
Read the original article(French) on Dakar Matin
