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Published on 2024-02-17 07:09:16
Senegal is facing a political crisis following President Macky Sall’s attempt to postpone the presidential election. The country’s top election authority has overturned Sall’s decree and ordered the government to hold the election as soon as possible, citing constitutional issues with the proposed postponement.
Sall had sought to postpone the election, originally scheduled for February 25, to December 15, citing unresolved disputes over who could run for office. However, the Constitutional Council ruled that these moves were unconstitutional and called for the election to be held promptly to allow for adequate campaigning time.
In response to the council’s decision, presidential spokesperson Yoro Dia stated that Sall intends to comply with the ruling and hold the election as soon as possible, although a new date has not yet been specified.
The political crisis has sparked deadly protests and cuts to mobile internet, leading to at least three deaths and dozens of injuries. Sall has been accused of attempting to delay leaving office, a claim he denied during a recent interview with the Associated Press.
International pressure has mounted on Senegal to adhere to the election timetable. The U.S. Bureau of African Affairs commended the council’s decision, while U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged all Senegalese parties to ensure the holding of an inclusive and transparent presidential election within the framework of the constitution.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) also issued a statement urging Sall to stick to the election timetable and set a date for the presidential election in accordance with the council’s decision.
Amidst the uncertainty, it is unclear when a new date for the election will be set and whether there will be changes to the list of eligible candidates.
Sall, who has been in power since 2012, is set to finish his two terms on April 2. According to the constitution, elections must be held 30-45 days before his mandate ends.
In an effort to ease tensions, the government has released several hundred political prisoners. The opposition has called for the release of all prisoners and the initiation of talks between the opposition and the president to establish an early election date.
The situation in Senegal is evolving rapidly as the country grapples with the aftermath of the council’s decision to overturn the postponement of the presidential election. The international community continues to closely monitor the developments and call for a peaceful and democratic resolution to the crisis.
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