By Ken Afor
There is uncertainty in Senegal’s political landscape following the postponement of the country’s 2024 presidential election, initially scheduled for February 25.
The election’s delay was announced on Saturday by President Macky Sall in an address, without specifying a new date.
This follows concerns raised by some members of the opposition after the disqualification of dozens of contenders, including opposition leaders Ousmane Sonko and Karim Wade, from opposition parties in January.
Wade was reportedly disqualified due to allegations of dual French citizenship, which he denied, describing it as “scandalous.”
Similarly, Senegal’s chances of electing a female president were narrowed after the detention of Rose Wardini on Friday, one of the only two women approved to run, she was accused of concealing her French citizenship, according to judicial sources.
Additionally, lawmakers are currently conducting an investigation into two constitutional judges who are presumed to have violated the electoral process.
According to Sall, “These troubled conditions could seriously undermine the credibility of the ballot by sowing the seeds of pre- and post-electoral disputes,” Sall said in his address.
He assured that efforts are underway to implement measures for a free and inclusive election.
“I will begin an open national dialogue to bring together the conditions for a free, transparent, and inclusive election,” Sall added without giving a new date.
Saturday’s election postponement marks the first time since Senegal gained independence in 1960. Despite the West African country’s longstanding stable democracy, President Sall’s announcement could potentially spark instability in the political landscape if not handled with caution.
Sall has dismissed rumors of running for a third term, as his party aims to continue in government with his anointed candidate, Prime Minister Amadou Ba, potentially succeeding him.
Recall that on Wednesday, Senegal’s parliament approved a report investigating the activities of the Constitutional Council, the body responsible for finalizing the list of candidates and announcing the election winner.
According to AFP, a few lawmakers from the ruling party voted in favor of the report, which raised concerns among the opposition as it could be perceived as a delay tactic to prevent the election from taking place.
The report stemmed from a campaign by opposition parties to investigate the Constitutional Council. Wade, leading the campaign, accused two of the seven council members of having ties with presidential hopefuls, including Prime Minister Amadou Ba, endorsed by the outgoing president.
Prior to President Sall’s speech, religious leaders had warned him about the potential repercussions of postponement, fearing it could lead to instability in the country.
Prime Minister Ba, endorsed by President Sall, is among the 20 contenders cleared by the Constitutional Council to run in the election.
