Senegal and its international allies breathed a collective sigh of relief when President Macky Sall announced that he would not pursue a controversial third term in office. This decision defused concerns of further deadly protests and was met with widespread support at home and abroad. Sall, in a nationwide address, stated that after careful consideration, he had decided against running in the upcoming February elections, prioritizing Senegal’s progress amidst social-economic difficulties and uncertainties.
Opposition figures suggested that Sall’s change of plans was a result of public pressure. Former Prime Minister Aminata Toure remarked that Sall’s decision was influenced by Senegalese citizens who stood up against him. Dethie Fallan, an opposition leader, urged people to remain vigilant and mobilized, expressing skepticism and labeling Sall’s decision as a potential trick to weaken opponents. He called for transparent and inclusive elections as the way forward.
The announcement brought relief to many Senegalese residents who believed that the country had narrowly avoided a contentious situation. Issa Camara, who works in the maritime sector, expressed great satisfaction, stating that Sall’s speech had changed many things and brought stability and governability to Senegal.
There had been widespread speculation that Sall would seek a third term, which would have ignited a showdown with opponents who argued that it would violate the constitution. Ousmane Sonko, Sall’s fiercest critic, had called on the public to rise up against him, portraying him as a potential dictator. However, Sonko himself is currently ineligible to run for office and is under house arrest in Dakar, facing sexual abuse charges that he denies.
The country has experienced sporadic unrest over the past two years, culminating in deadly clashes following Sonko’s conviction last month. The authorities reported 16 deaths, while opposition sources claimed the number could be as high as 30. Amnesty International estimated the toll at 24.
Macky Sall, 61, was first elected in 2012 for a seven-year term and reelected in 2019 for a five-year term after a constitutional revision. The constitution stipulates a maximum of two terms for a president, but Sall’s supporters argued that the counter was reset to zero with the 2019 revision. Sall had previously campaigned against his predecessor Abdoulaye Wade’s bid for a third term, signaling a departure from the trend of entrenched strongman leadership in Africa.
International praise poured in for Sall’s decision. The US State Department commended his choice, stating that it set an example for the region by upholding democratic principles and term limits. Former colonial power France lauded Senegal’s democratic tradition, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres hailed Sall’s statesmanship, considering it an important example for Senegal and the world.
With Sall out of the race, attention turned to the upcoming election and the selection of a presidential candidate by the coalition. Prime Minister Amadou Ba is seen as a front-runner, while former Prime Minister Idrissa Seck, who came in second in 2019, is also expected to run. However, the full list of contenders remains uncertain due to the disqualification of many opposition figures on what they claim are politically motivated charges.
Sall also announced that electoral reform would be presented to parliament to allow former minister Karim Wade and former mayor of Dakar Khalifa Sall to run. Despite his own ineligibility, Sonko’s spokesman implied that his campaign would continue, as evidenced by a tweet picturing the opposition firebrand with the caption “Focus 2024.”
