- Senegal plans to hold the next presidential election as soon as possible following the decision of the Constitutional Council.
- The ruling overturns President Macky Sall’s decision to postpone elections on February 25, raising concerns that authoritarianism is creeping into one of Africa’s most stable democracies.
- Sall reportedly intends to cooperate with the order.
Senegal’s government announced on Friday that it would hold presidential elections as soon as possible after the country’s chief electoral officer overturned President Macky Sall’s order to postpone the vote.
In early February, Sall asked for the Feb. 25 election to be postponed, citing unresolved disputes over who could run, and parliament voted to postpone the election again to Dec. 15.
However, the country’s Constitutional Council ruled on Thursday that these moves were unconstitutional and ordered the government to hold elections as soon as possible, presumably to allow enough time for campaigning. The committee acknowledged that holding the event on February 25 was not currently possible, but said the government needed to act quickly.
Three people, including a teenager, killed by security forces as Senegalese election protests intensify
Presidential Spokesman Yolo Dia said in a statement on Friday that although the government has not yet announced a new date, Sall intends to fully comply with the council’s decision and hold elections as soon as possible.
Senegal has been considered one of the most stable democracies in the region, but the electoral dispute has plunged the country into a political crisis, sparking deadly protests and mobile internet blackouts. At least three people were killed by security forces and dozens injured.
Senegalese President Macky Sall addresses the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly at United Nations Headquarters, Tuesday, September 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Sall has been accused of trying to delay his resignation, which he denied in an interview with The Associated Press last week.
Local and international pressure has increased since the move to postpone the vote.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, the U.S. Bureau of African Affairs praised the council’s decision to “put Senegal back on track for a timely presidential election.”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres, citing the Constitutional Council ruling and the president’s decision, called on all political parties in Senegal to “ensure the holding of inclusive and transparent presidential elections within the framework of the Senegalese Constitution.” said UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.
West African regional bloc ECOWAS also said in a statement on Friday that Sall should stick to the election date and urged “competent authorities” to set a date for the presidential election in accordance with the board’s decision.
It’s unclear when dates will be set or whether there will be any changes to who will be allowed to run.
Sall, who came to power in 2012, is scheduled to complete his second term on April 2. According to the constitution, elections must be held 30 to 45 days before the end of his term.
In an effort to calm the population, the government released hundreds of political prisoners this week.
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Dr. Manel Fall, a member of the disbanded opposition party PASTEF, said the opposition could de-escalate the situation by releasing all prisoners and starting talks between the opposition and the president about setting early elections. Ta.
