Senegal’s president vows to finish his term on April 2nd

Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Africanews
Published on 2024-02-23 13:39:56

Senegal’s President Macky Sall has made a public commitment to uphold the law and not extend his mandate beyond April 2nd. Sall, who is nearing the end of his two terms in office, faced criticism after postponing the presidential election for 10 months due to unresolved disputes over who could run. The Constitutional Court deemed Sall’s move illegal, prompting him to address the nation on live television on February 22nd.

During his televised address, Sall stated, “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.” This declaration followed a controversial vote by the ruling coalition in early February to extend Sall’s rule, which led some opposition lawmakers to walk out of the session as the national assembly rescheduled the election for December.

Pressure from opposition groups continues to mount on Sall, who has expressed his willingness to engage in dialogue next week. He emphasized the importance of having a President of the Republic in place and committed to respecting the outcomes of the upcoming discussions. Sall hopes that the political players involved will prioritize the nation’s best interests and work towards reaching a consensus on the way forward.

Fifteen out of the twenty candidates approved to participate in the delayed presidential elections have come together to call for the vote to be conducted no later than April 2nd. The Constitutional Court issued a historic ruling mandating the government to set a new election date promptly, a directive that has yet to be followed.

Senegal, known as one of West Africa’s most stable democracies, has witnessed a rise in political tensions and violent protests as a result of the election disputes. Security forces have been involved in clashes that have led to the tragic deaths of at least three individuals and injuries to dozens more.

As Senegal navigates through this turbulent period, both the government and opposition groups must prioritize peaceful dialogue and democratic processes to ensure a smooth and legitimate transition of power. The nation’s democratic principles and stability are at stake, and all parties involved must work towards resolving their differences through constructive engagement and respect for the rule of law.

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