Senegal’s government has announced that the presidential election will be held on March 24, following a previous postponement by President Macky Sall, which triggered widespread protests and accusations of a constitutional coup.
The tension led to deadly unrest, prompting the Constitutional Council to mandate the election before April 2, when Sall’s 12-year tenure ends. Opposition figures welcome the election date, emphasizing the need for fair, just, and transparent elections. Sall, who has served two terms, dissolved the government and replaced the prime minister to allow the ruling coalition’s candidate to focus on the campaign.
In a bid to ease political tensions, Senegal’s parliament passed an amnesty law covering crimes related to protests between February 1, 2021, and February 25, 2024. While critics argue that the law may shield those responsible for serious crimes, supporters believe it could benefit the opposition by potentially facilitating the release of leading opposition politician Ousmane Sonko and his supporters.
Sonko, a prominent figure in the campaign against Sall, was imprisoned in 2023 on charges he deemed fabricated to prevent his presidential candidacy. Despite the reforms, the list of eligible candidates remains unchanged, limiting the participation of key opposition figures.
As Senegal approaches the election in just over a fortnight, political dynamics remain complex, with some opposition leaders facing legal barriers to candidacy. The announcement brings a sense of relief to the country, but concerns persist regarding the inclusivity and fairness of the electoral process, with ongoing debates over political motivations and the potential impact of the amnesty law on accountability for past events.
