During a television interview given to the Senegalese press, Senegalese President Macky Sall left pending, Thursday February 22, the date of the presidential election which he had decreed to be postponed, while ensuring that his mandate at the head of the country would end as scheduled on April 2. “On April 2, 2024, my mission ends at the head of Senegal,” he declared.
“As for the date, we will see what the dialogue will propose,” he added, referring to the political dialogue that he intends to lead from Monday. “The election can be held before or after April 2,” he said. Asked if it would be held between now and April 2, he replied “I don’t think so.” Mr. Sall also said he was “ready” to release opposition figure Ousmane Sonko incarcerated since the end of July 2023 to move towards “peaceful” elections, while affirming that he was not responsible for the progress of the elections. legal proceedings against Mr. Sonko. “Yes, I am ready to go this far so that everyone benefits from this pardon and that Senegal moves towards these elections in a peaceful manner,” he assured.
Unprecedented political crisis
Accused of “bad will” by fifteen candidates in the presidential election in Senegal, Macky Sall took the floor to explain the organization of the vote, initially scheduled for February 25 and which he postponed.
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 expressed 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.
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,” specifies 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”.