By Abiola Olawale
Former Chief of Staff to immediate past president Muhammadu Buhari and a former United Nations(UN) Under-Secretary-General (political), Professor Ibrahim Gambari, has spoken up on his mandate as the leader of a 120-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Election Observation Mission (EOM) to monitor Senegal’s Presidential election.
Gambari, who had previously served as a permanent representative of Nigeria to the United Nations from 1990 to 1999, as well as Nigeria’s Minister of external affairs between 1984 -1985 said his appointment to lead a 120-delegation to Senegal is part of the commitment of ECOWAS to ensure a free and fair election in the country, amid military takeover that has plagued some African countries in recent times
The revered diplomat who addressed members of the press in Senegal upon his arrival in that country said his team has been saddled with the responsibilities of ensuring the March 24th presidential election conforms with best democratic practices.
He observed that the high-level team comprises experts in various fields, including constitutional and electoral laws, election operations, conflict management and prevention, political analysis, gender and inclusivity, and the media.
His words: “I want to thank His Excellency, the President of the Ecowas Commission (H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray) for the opportunity to serve in this very critical and high-level position as Head of the Ecowas Election Observer Mission in Senegal for the Presidential election.
“Of course, my first word is to say that ECOWAS is ready, able, and willing to… accomplish the electoral process and to ensure that the best practices are accomplished and that the outcome that this region needs, this country needs is a free, fair and transparent election in a peaceful atmosphere.”
The New Diplomat reports that a total of 93 people had registered to run for the office of president before the Senegalese Constitutional Council. The list of candidates was, however, narrowed down as the body examined the sponsorship of would-be candidates until 10 January 2024 before moving on to scrutinize other relevant documents and documentation of potential contestants. Many candidates were rejected due to missing documents, insufficient sponsorship documentation or allegations of sponsors supporting more than one candidate. The list of those who indicated interest to contest include former prime ministers Aminata Toure and Cheikh Hadjibou Soumaré, as well as Macky Sall’s brother-in-law Adama Faye. This prompted Toure and 27 other candidates to collectively criticize the sponsorship control system.
On 20 January, the Senegalese Constitutional Council published the final list of candidates for the presidential election. It was made up of 20 candidates including Ba, former prime ministers Idrissa Seck and Mahammed Boun Abdallah Dionne, the former mayor of Dakar Khalifa Sall, and Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who is still in prison awaiting trial. Two women were also cleared to run, namely gynecologist Rose Wardini and entrepreneur Anta Babacar Ngom, the head of one of the country’s largest food manufacturers, Sedima.
On 28 January, Sonko released a video on social media formally recognizing Bassirou Diomaye Faye as his replacement in the election.
On 19 February, Rose Wardini renounced her candidacy following controversy over her dual Franco-Senegalese nationality.
Below is the full list of the 19 candidates jostling for the top seat in Senegal;
Pope Djibril Fall – 35 years old
Anta Babacar Ngom – 40 years old
Bassirou Diomaye Faye – 43 years old
Déthié Fall – 48 years old
Daouda Ndiaye – 50 years old
Cheikh Tidiane Dièye – 51 years old
Mame Boye Diao – 53 years old
Serigne Mboup – 57 years old
Aly Ngouille Ndiaye – 59 years old
Thierno Alassane Sall – 60 years old
Malick Gackou – 62 years old
Amadou Ba – 62 years old
Aliou Mamadou Dia – 64 years old
Mamadou Lamine Diallo – 64 years old
Idrissa Seck – 64 years old
Mahammed Boun Abdallah Dionne – 65 years old
Boubacar Camara – 65 years old
Habib Sy – 67 years old
Khalifa Ababacar Sall – 68
