Senegal President Macky Sall Announces End of Mandate Amid Election Uncertainty

Senegal’s President Macky Sall declared on Thursday that his presidential mandate will conclude on April 2, 2024, although uncertainties loom over the timely election of his successor. Sall’s statement comes amidst concerns of potential rule extension, which had fueled a tense political atmosphere and sporadic violent demonstrations in a country known for its stability within the region’s democracies.

The announcement follows a ruling by the country’s Constitutional Council, the highest electoral authority, which deemed the 10-month postponement of the election as illegal. Initially slated for February 25, the election faced delays, prompting Sall to clarify his position during a televised address.

“April 2, 2024, will mark the conclusion of my tenure as the nation’s leader, signaling the end of my bond with the Senegalese people as their president. I seek to unequivocally resolve this debate,” affirmed Sall during the televised interview.

However, Sall indicated that the election could not proceed without prior national dialogue. Tensions escalated following parliament’s contentious decision to delay the elections until December 15.

The forthcoming dialogue, scheduled to commence on Monday and conclude by Tuesday, aims to involve various stakeholders, including civil society organizations, political entities, and prospective candidates. Sall also expressed willingness to engage candidates who had not received approval from the Constitutional Council.

“In the event of consensus, I will promptly issue the decree to establish the election date. However, if consensus remains elusive, I will defer the matter to the Constitutional Council,” stated Sall, acknowledging the possibility of the process extending beyond April 2.

Emphasizing the distinction between the election process and the mandate’s conclusion, Sall underscored his commitment to adhere to the Constitutional Council’s directives.

Regarding detained opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Sall hinted at a potential provisional release to facilitate his participation in the dialogue.

Sall’s recent assurances align with his earlier promise to comply with the Constitutional Council’s directive to expedite the election process, aiming to quell unrest and alleviate concerns of authoritarian tendencies.