2024-02-22 20:49:30
During an interview with the Senegalese press, President Macky Sall did not set an official date for the presidential election, which he had decreed to be postponed. At the same time, he assured that his term as head of the country would end as planned on April 2, indicating that it was unlikely that the name of his successor would be known before that date.
Published on: 02/22/2024 – 9:49 p.m. Modified on: 02/22/2024 – 11:34 p.m.
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It was a highly anticipated speech. While the Senegal was suspended on the word of the Head of State on the presidential election, the latter left in abeyance the date of the election, initially scheduled for February 25. However, he affirmed that it will be given at the end of a two-day dialogue with all political actors and of the country’s civil society, which will take place next Monday and Tuesday, February 26 and 27. Macky Sall called on his compatriots to be patient. “ The date cannot be set until we have each other’s arguments “, he justified. Ultimately, it will be up to the Constitutional Council to decide.
« I do not want to be the subject of a sterile controversy regarding ambitions that are not mine “, he however warned. “ On April 2, my mission ends at the head of Senegal », added the president. However, ” the election can be held before or following April 2 “, he added. Asked regarding the possibility of it being held between now and April 2, he replied: “ I do not think so. »
It was said that I wanted to remain at the head of the country. And I say here very clearly that on April 2, my mission ends at the head of Senegal, and I therefore intend to leave my position following April 2.
Macky Sall, President of Senegal
In addition, Macky Sall also said “ ready “to release opposition figure Ousmane Sonko incarcerated since the end of July 2023 to move towards elections” soothed “. The latter, as well as the politicians excluded by the Constitutional Council from the list of candidates for the presidential election, will be invited to take part in this dialogue planned by the presidency. “ If a consensus is found, I will immediately issue a decree to set the date (of the election) », Launched Macky Sall, adding that, otherwise, he would refer the matter to the Constitutional Council.
As part of the dialogue, I indicated to my government the need to take steps to facilitate the release of a certain number of detainees. The country needs reconciliation. We will take steps to achieve this pardon, including by all legal means that this will allow. […] I have no objection [à la libération d’Ousmane Sonko]. If it helps to avoid what we are experiencing today, I am ready to go that far so that everyone benefits from forgiveness.
Macky Sall says he is ready to consider the release of detainees for participation in the national dialogue
Already, during a Council of Ministers on Wednesday evening, the Senegalese president had requested that all arrangements be made “ for a good organization of the presidential election ». « On a date to be fixed very soon “, he said, following consultations with political actors and civil society leaders.
It is difficult to know if the discussions started last week are over, because nothing has officially filtered out of the discussions he would have held, reports our correspondent in Dakar, Léa-Lisa Westerhoff. The only certainty: impatience begins to set in. Sixteen of the 19 candidates denounced Wednesday a “ inexplicable slowness » in the organization of this presidential election.
The presidency accused of “ dragging your feet »
As for consultations, the majority of candidates in the race, as well as the main actors of civil society, have already explained that the discussions should only serve to agree on a date, to obtain a vote before the April 2 and the official end of the mandate of President Macky Sall. For example the camp of opponent Bassirou Diomaye Fayenumber 2 of Ousmane Sonko, accused the president on Wednesday evening of “ dragging your feet “. He will only agree to discuss to fix “ without delay » the date of the presidential election, he warned in a press release.
This postponement of the presidential election, denounced as a “ constitutional coup » by the opposition, caused a commotion in public opinion and demonstrations which left four dead. The constitutionnal Council last week also vetoed to this postponement and asked the authorities to organize it ” as soon as possible ».
Despite speculation regarding the temptation to force a move, President Sall said the next day his intention to respect the Council’s decision and to carry out ” without delaying the necessary consultations » to the organization of the vote.
Read alsoPresidential election in Senegal: reactions and analyzes following the cancellation of the postponement by the Constitutional Council
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