Accused of “bad will” by fifteen candidates in the presidential election in Senegal, the head of state, Macky Sall, will speak on Thursday February 22 to say what his plans are for the organization of the election, initially planned on February 25 and postponed. The president will be questioned Thursday evening by three Senegalese media, including Radio-Télévision du Sénégal (RTS, public), AFP learned from the presidency.
Senegal is going through an unprecedented political crisis after the decision of Macky Sall and the National Assembly in early February to postpone the presidential election until December 15. This postponement, denounced as a “constitutional coup” by the opposition, provoked demonstrations which left four dead.
Last week, the Constitutional Council vetoed this postponement and the continuation of the president in his post until the installation of his successor. He noted the impossibility of holding the presidential election on February 25 and asked the authorities to organize it “as soon as possible”. Macky Sall said on Friday his intention to respect the Council’s decision and to carry out “without delay the necessary consultations” for the organization of the vote. The Senegalese are now waiting to know the new date.
Wednesday, during the Council of Ministers, the Head of State requested that “all arrangements” be taken “for a good organization of the presidential election on a date which will be fixed very soon, after consultations with political actors , leaders of civil society and representatives of the nation’s vital forces,” indicates the council report. He “also reaffirmed his commitment to an inclusive process of consultation and dialogue in order to build consensus around national reconciliation, appeasement and pacification of the public space, with a view to consolidating political and economic stability. and social”.
In this context, the president asked the Minister of Justice, Aïssata Tall Sall, to “finalize the draft texts to materialize the desire for reconciliation and forgiveness while respecting the rule of law and consolidating peace sustainable social”. An amnesty law was mentioned a week ago, which would allow the release of the main opponent, Ousmane Sonko, convicted in particular for endangering state security, and his deputy, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, presidential candidate. .
