Rédaction Africa Links 24 with AFP
Published on 2024-02-03 14:50:13
Senegalese President Macky Sall made a surprising announcement on Saturday, indefinitely postponing the presidential election that was originally scheduled for February 25. This decision was made just hours before the official campaigning was set to commence. In a televised address to the nation, President Sall explained that he had signed a decree revoking the previous measure that had set the election date. This delay comes as lawmakers investigate two Constitutional Council judges whose integrity in the election process has been called into question.
President Sall stated, “I will begin an open national dialogue to bring together the conditions for a free, transparent and inclusive election.” However, he did not provide a new date for the election, leaving the future timeline uncertain.
This announcement marks the first time a presidential election in Senegal has been postponed. The original February 25 election date was set in a November 2023 decree signed by President Sall, with 20 candidates initially in the running. Notably, two major opposition figures were excluded from the list of candidates.
President Sall had previously reiterated his intention to hand over power to the winner of the election in early April, after declaring that he would not seek a third term in office. Furthermore, he had designated Prime Minister Amadou Ba from his party as his potential successor.
The exclusion of several candidates from the election, including outspoken Ousmane Sonko and Karim Wade, son of former president Abdoulaye Wade, by the Constitutional Council has raised concerns about the fairness and inclusivity of the electoral process.
In light of the postponement, there is a sense of uncertainty and a need for clarity regarding the future of the presidential election in Senegal. Given the significance of this decision and the impact it will have on the country’s political landscape, it is essential for open dialogue and transparency to guide the process moving forward.
As the nation awaits further developments, the focus remains on ensuring that the conditions for a free, fair, and inclusive election are established and upheld. With the postponement of the election, it is evident that Senegal is entering a period of transition and change as it navigates the path towards a democratic and representative leadership.
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