APA-Dakr (Senegal) Dr. Cheikh Tidiane Dieye, a candidate in Senegal’s March 24th presidential
election withdrew his candidacy in favour of another contender Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
He made the announcement at a press conference in Dakar on Wednesday.
Dieye the president of the Departmental Council of Ziguinchor (south) explained that he took the decision to avoid the dispersal of opposition votes in next Sunday’s election.
He has called on his supporters to cast their ballots for Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Plan B of the African Patriots of Senegal for Work, Ethics and Fraternity (PASTEF), after the invalidation of Ousmane
Sonko’s candidacy.
The withdrawal of Dr. Dieye’s candidacy now brings the list of contenders for the presidency to 18.
In its decision of 20 January, the constitutional court maintained a list of 20 candidates. Meanwhile, one of only two women in this electoral contest, Rose Wardini was forced to abandon her presidential
ambitions after it was discovered that she also holds French citizenship.
On Wednesday, she announced her support for Amadou Ba, the candidate of the ruling coalition Benno Bokk Yaakaar (United in Hope, in Wolof), which has also received the backing of some leaders of the Senegalese Democratic Party, whose presidential aspirant, Karim Wade was also disqualified from running.
AC/fss/as/APA