Since Macky Sall, decided to lift the lid on his ambition for the presidency in 2024, Senegal’s fourth president since independence has attracted praise from unlikely quarters far and wide.
“My decision, long and carefully considered, is not to be a candidate in the next election on February 25, 2024,” he declared in a speech to the nation.
Former colleagues and peers hail this decision as one of “great political intelligence.”
His speech was expected beyond Senegal’s borders.
Following this declaration, reactions were swift. “President Macky Sall has just shown great political intelligence. Thus, Senegal remains one of the torchbearers whose flame illuminates our continent,” wrote former Nigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou on Twitter, who passed the baton to Mohamed Bazoum after two terms in
office.
The first head of government under Macky Sall, Abdoul Mbaye, reacted on Facebook, confessing his “great emotion.”
“This speech allows me to rediscover a large part of Macky Sall back in 2012. I respect his call
for unity and peace. Now we need to build and consolidate them by preparing as best we can for the 2024 election. Long live Senegal!,” he almost exulted.
This political formation, a member of the opposition, “also pays tribute to President Macky Sall and wishes him an honorable exit”.
It calls on all forces to support the President and his government, so that the current term of office can be completed in peace, stability and national harmony.
“We congratulate the President on his courageous decision, which is expected to enable the Senegalese people to strengthen their unity and continue to progress along the road to democracy. We are convinced that, as an extension of the National Dialogue he initiated, this decision will help to preserve the serenity and peace that our country so badly needs, and to guarantee fair and transparent elections,” said the Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS) of former president Abdoulaye Wade in a statement.
A number of senior members of the presidential camp had expressed the wish to see Macky Sall, who was first elected in 2012 and re-elected in 2019 for a second and final term, stand for re-election. More than 500 mayors had signed a memorandum inviting the current head of state to stand. For these mayors, the time has come to “respect” President Sall’s decision.
“We, members of the presidential majority, wanted to have him run for another second five-year term, because the Constitution allows him to do so. That was our political choice. Unfortunately, he didn’t follow that choice. The President of the Republic has decided of his own accord that he will not stand for re-election. We respect and welcome this decision, and pay tribute to him,” said Mamadou Oury Diallo, mayor of the eastern town of Velingara, and member of the ruling coalition.
ARD/ac/fss/abj/APA