APA-Dakar (Senegal) The tense political suspense that had enveloped Senegal for almost two years has been finally lifted thanks to a simple declaration by President Macky Sall that he has no plans to run for a third term.
His protracted reticence over the thorny issue had encouraged speculations over his political ambitions and led to riotous scenes in Dakar and other cities across Senegal in recent weeks.
But his categorical declaration on television of a no third shot at the Senegalese presidency when the country returns to the polls in 2024 has witnessed something of an anti-climax descending on an already fractious political landscape.
Sall told the nation in a televised address that “My decision, carefully considered is not to run as a candidate in the upcoming election…Senegal is more than me, and is full of capable leaders for the country’s development”.
“The 2019 term was my second and last term” President Sall emphasised putting paid to speculation by the Senegalese opposition that he would be making a third bid for the presidency next year.
Sall was elected in 2012 and again in 2019 but suspicion over a possible third bid had boiled over into widespread demonstrations in which several people were killed.
Political analysts had indicated that any attempt by Sall, 61, to run again would be in clear breach of the country’s constitution.
Prior to Monday evening’s address to the nation, opposition leader Ousmane Sonko who had been charged with rape and had spearheaded several of the protests against Sall had urged his supporters and ”all patriotic Senegalese” to take to the streets should the current president decide to bid for re-election.
APA