Senegalese President Macky Sall promises to step down but does not set election date – Technologist

Expected since his impromptu and contested announcement on February 3 to postpone Senegal’s presidential election, Macky Sall came to clarify his future. But he did not dispel the uncertainties over the date of the vote that will designate his successor. “On April 2, 2024, my mission ends at the head of Senegal,” said the Senegalese president on Thursday, February 22, when questioned by local journalists, as part of the opposition accused him of wanting to prolong his 12 years in power.

While firm on his announcement that he would step down at the end of his term, the head of the West African country did relinquish responsibility for setting a date for the presidential election. A week earlier, the Constitutional Council had overturned the National Assembly’s decision to postpone the election until December 15 but ruled that it would be impossible to hold it on the original date of February 25. However, it advised the “competent authorities” to set a new date “as soon as possible.” The following day, Sall pledged to “fully implement” the decision of the seven judges.

But rather than decide on his own, the president is calling for a dialogue, scheduled for February 26 and 27, to find a way out of the crisis generated by his announcement of the postponement. Candidates selected and rejected by the Constitutional Council, political parties, trade unions, civil society and religious organizations are invited to attend.

Even the presence of opposition figure Ousmane Sonko and his substitute candidate, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, both in detention, now seems conceivable. “I have no objection” to Sonko’s release, said Sall. “I am ready to go that far so that everyone can benefit from this pardon and so that Senegal can move toward these elections in a peaceful manner.” Regarding Diomaye Faye, Sall stressed that a provisional release could be granted before the adoption of an amnesty law.

An election ‘before or after April 2’

The guest list is wide-ranging, but “few subjects need to be addressed: what date for the election? And what needs to be done for the period after April 2?” summed up Sall, leaving the door open to an election that could be held “before or after April 2.”

“As soon as there is this consensus,” he continued, “I will immediately issue a decree to convene the electoral body. If consensus is not reached, I will refer the matter in its entirety to the Constitutional Council, which will advise.” The question of an extension of his term after it officially ends could then resurface, as Article 36 of the Constitution, which he quoted twice, stipulates that “the president of the Republic in office remains in his functions until the installation of his successor.”

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