Senegal’s upcoming presidential election, scheduled for February 25, has been indefinitely postponed, marking the first time the country has experienced such a delay. President Macky Sall announced the decision in a televised address, citing a dispute over the disqualification of several candidates as the reason behind the postponement.

The rejection of candidates, including prominent figure Ousmane Sonko and Karim Wade, has sparked controversy. Sonko, a vocal critic of the current regime, has been incarcerated since 2023 and was disqualified due to allegations of corrupting youth. Similarly, Wade, the son of a former president, was barred from running on the basis of holding dual nationality, despite renouncing his French citizenship.

In response to the delay, the United States expressed deep concern, urging all parties involved to work towards setting a new election date and ensuring the conditions for a fair and timely process. The delay has also triggered calls for a parliamentary inquiry into the impartiality of judges involved in the disqualification process.

President Sall did not announce a new election date but emphasized the need for a national dialogue to guarantee a transparent and fair election. He has pledged to cede power to the election winner, designating his party’s Prime Minister Amadou Ba as his potential successor. However, critics have labeled the postponement as “sabotage” and warned that it could undermine the election’s legitimacy, risking an “institutional coup d’etat.”

Senegal, known for its stability in a region grappling with political upheaval, now finds itself embroiled in a constitutional crisis with potential far-reaching implications.

By: Media Talk Africa