Senegal’s opposition presidential candidates have snubbed an invitation from President Macky Sall to join a dialogue aimed at resolving the country’s electoral impasse.
Sall, who was due to step down on April 2, postponed the election indefinitely in February, citing disputes that he said could undermine the credibility of the vote. The move sparked widespread protests and accusations of an attempted “institutional coup”.
On Thursday, Sall said he was ready to leave office when his mandate ends, but he could not set a new date for the election until political parties and civil society groups take part in talks scheduled for Monday.
But 16 of the 19 candidates rejected his proposal at a joint press conference in Dakar on Friday, saying he was violating the constitution and tailoring it to his needs.
“By his actions, he is destroying the constitution and tailoring it to his needs,” said a spokesperson for opposition candidate Khalifa Sall, calling on Sall to announce the election date as soon as possible.
“I categorically reject this sham of a dialogue,” said fellow contender Anta Babacar in a statement. “You cannot hold a nation’s future hostage.”
Their decision deepens a political crisis that has gripped Senegal since early February, when parliament approved a 10-month delay of the presidential election – a bill that was later ruled unconstitutional by a top court.
Civil society groups also refused to participate in the talks. The Aar Sunu Election group said Sall was not following through on his promise to comply with the court ruling and called for the vote to be held before April 2.
Senegal has been seen as one of West Africa’s most stable democracies, but the electoral standoff has raised fears of democratic backsliding and violence.
Sall, who was elected for a second time in 2019, has said he will not run for a third term. He originally said the postponement was needed to avoid clashes between supporters of rival candidates, some of whom have been barred from running due to legal issues.
But the opposition and civil society have accused him of trying to extend his stay in power and eliminate potential challengers.
The main opposition figure, Ousmane Sonko, was sentenced to two years in prison in June 2023 for “immoral behaviour” in a case that he said was politically motivated. He went on a hunger strike in July and was later designated as the presidential candidate for his party, PASTEF, which was dissolved by the government in August.
Another candidate, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, has been in jail since April 2023, when he was arrested for criticising the conduct of Sonko’s trial on social media.
The opposition has vowed to continue its protests until Sall sets a new date for the election and respects the constitutional order.
Analysts say the crisis could tarnish Senegal’s reputation as a model of democracy and stability in the region and undermine its economic and social development.
However, some observers also hope that the dialogue could offer a chance for a peaceful resolution and a way forward for the country.
“The dialogue is a positive step, but it needs to be inclusive, transparent and respectful of the constitution and the rule of law,” said Abdoulaye Diop, a political scientist at the University of Dakar. “The people of Senegal deserve a free and fair election that reflects their will and aspirations.”
Source: Reuters
