Senegal Presidential Election Postponed As Macky Sall Calls For National Dialogue.

By Caroline Ameh

In a surprise turn of event on Saturday, President Macky Sall of Senegal declared the postponement of the upcoming presidential election scheduled for February 25.

During a national broadcast, Sall emphasized the need for an open national dialogue to establish conditions for a free, transparent, and inclusive election in a peaceful and reconciled Senegal.

“I will initiate an open national dialogue to bring together the conditions for a free, transparent, and inclusive election in a peaceful and reconciled Senegal,” said President Sall.

Serving as Senegal’s president since 2012, Sall recently confirmed that he would not be seeking a third term, adhering to the constitutional limit of two terms, each lasting five years.

His previous hints at a potential third term, as initially suggested by the constitutional council, were dispelled as he officially announced Amadou Ba, the prime minister, as his preferred successor.

President Sall reiterated his commitment to not run for the presidential election during Saturday’s broadcast, emphasizing the unchanged nature of his solemn pledge.

However, concerns from various civil society organizations regarding issues within the electoral process have surfaced, adding a layer of complexity to the unfolding situation.

The delay in the election and the call for national dialogue mark a significant development in Senegal’s political landscape, raising questions about the future trajectory of the electoral process.