Senegalese President Macky Sall has put an end to years of uncertainty over his political future by declaring that he will not seek a third term in the upcoming elections next year.
The announcement comes after deadly opposition protests last month, which were fuelled by speculations about Sall’s potential bid for re-election.
In a live speech streamed on his official Facebook page, President Sall reaffirmed that Senegal’s constitution would have allowed him to run for a third term despite already serving a second term since 2019.
However, he stated that he chose not to contribute to any potential destruction of the progress the country has made during his tenure.
‘I had said that the 2019 mandate was my last mandate. I know that this decision will come as a surprise to all those who have a friendship with me. Senegal is more than just me, it’s full of people capable of taking Senegal to the next level,’ President Sall stated.
Opposition leader Ousmane Sonko had long called for Sall to publicly bow out of the 2024 election, accusing the government of using court cases against him to sideline the competition ahead of the February elections.
The recent sentencing of Sonko to two years in prison on corruption charges sparked a wave of deadly protests, claiming at least 16 lives, according to the government, and higher figures reported by the opposition.
Senegal has been viewed as a bastion of stability in an otherwise politically turbulent region. Concerns had risen that Sall’s ambiguous stance on a third term could escalate tensions and unrest in the country.
Sall’s presidency began in 2012 when he defeated incumbent President Abdoulaye Wade, who had sought a controversial third term, leading to violent street demonstrations. In 2016, Sall amended the constitution to set a two-term limit for the presidency.
Despite previous statements indicating his candidacy, President Sall has now called on the government to ensure a transparent election process in February. The announcement has left uncertainties over who might run on the ticket of Sall’s political party.
