Senegal announces election date following public outcry over postponement
Following public demonstrations and pressure, Senegal's President Macky Sall has officially set the date for the upcoming presidential election on March 24, as confirmed by the government's recent statement.
Senegalese President Macky Sall announced on Wednesday that the country’s presidential election will take place on March 24.
In a statement, the government shared, “The President of the Republic has confirmed to the Council of Ministers that the presidential election is scheduled for Sunday, March 24, 2024.”
The election, which was supposed to take place on February 25, was delayed by Sall. This decision led to protests throughout the West African nation, with young people expressing their anger by burning tires in the streets.
Senegalese riot police lobs tear gas at supporters of opposition presidential candidate Daouda Ndiaye in Dakar, Senegal, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024.
Senegalese riot police lobs tear gas at supporters of opposition presidential candidate Daouda Ndiaye in Dakar, Senegal, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024.
Stefan Kleinowitz/AP
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Senegal’s Constitutional Council blocked his efforts to postpone the election, stating that it must take place before April 2, the end of Sall’s second and last term.
On Wednesday, Sall dissolved the government and revealed that Interior Minister Sidiki Kaba would take over from Prime Minister Amadou Ba.
In a statement from the council of ministers, Ba expressed his continued support for Sall's decisions and extended his gratitude to the president.
The Constitutional Council has confirmed that nineteen candidates have officially registered to participate in the upcoming election.
Editor's P/S:
The upcoming presidential election in Senegal is a crucial moment for the country's democratic trajectory. President Macky Sall's decision to postpone the election, initially set for February 25th, sparked protests and raised concerns about his commitment to democratic norms. The Constitutional Council's subsequent ruling that the election must take place before the end of Sall's term has somewhat eased tensions, but questions remain about the fairness and transparency of the electoral process.
The dissolution of the government and the appointment of a new Prime Minister add to the uncertainty surrounding the election. While Sall has stated that these measures are aimed at ensuring a smooth transition, they could also be seen as attempts to consolidate his power. The participation of nineteen candidates in the election is a positive sign of pluralism, but it also poses challenges for the electoral commission to ensure a fair and credible process. The international community will be closely monitoring the situation in Senegal in the lead-up to the election, as the country has been a regional beacon of democracy for many years.
