Protests in Senegal yield results: Election date announced

12PUNTO FOREIGN NEWS

The postponement of the election, which was scheduled for February 25, by President Macky Sall triggered protests by angry crowds in the West African nation of Senegal. In the events that have been ongoing since the beginning of February, it was reported that hundreds of protesters were injured and some lost their lives.

Sall, whose term is expiring and who cannot run for re-election, had postponed the elections, claiming that there was chaos in the candidate selection process. However, the Senegalese Constitutional Council blocked his attempts to postpone the election, ruling that it must be held before April 2, when Sall's second and final term ends.

The Senegalese government issued a statement saying, "The President informed the Council of Ministers that the date for the presidential election has been set for Sunday, March 24, 2024."

Earlier on Wednesday, Sall dissolved the government and announced that Interior Minister Sidiki Kaba would replace the incumbent Prime Minister Amadou Ba.

The dismissed prime minister, Ba, stated that he 'supported' Sall's decisions and expressed his 'thanks and gratitude' to the president.

According to the Senegalese Constitutional Council, 19 candidates have registered to participate in the elections.

According to CNN, the decision to hold the elections on March 24 is expected to lower tensions in the country. However, experts emphasize that the election will still be held in a tense atmosphere.

News Source: 12punto