🇸🇳 Senegal schedules presidential election for March 24
Senegalese President Macky Sall has scheduled a delayed presidential election for March 24, the government said on Wednesday after a top court ruled that a proposal to hold the vote after his mandate expires on April 2 was unconstitutional.
The announcement caps an evening that saw Sall dissolve the government and replace Prime Minister Amadou Ba with Interior Minister Sidiki Kaba so that Ba, the ruling coalition's presidential candidate, can focus on his electoral campaign, the presidency said.
Earlier the Constitutional Council ruled that a proposal from a national dialogue commission for the vote to be held on June 2 was not in line with the constitution.
"The President of the Republic informed the Council of Ministers that the date of the presidential election had been set for Sunday 24 March," the council of ministers said.
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Senegalese President Macky Sall has scheduled a delayed presidential election for March 24, the government said on Wednesday after a top court ruled that a proposal to hold the vote after his mandate expires on April 2 was unconstitutional.
The announcement caps an evening that saw Sall dissolve the government and replace Prime Minister Amadou Ba with Interior Minister Sidiki Kaba so that Ba, the ruling coalition's presidential candidate, can focus on his electoral campaign, the presidency said.
Earlier the Constitutional Council ruled that a proposal from a national dialogue commission for the vote to be held on June 2 was not in line with the constitution.
"The President of the Republic informed the Council of Ministers that the date of the presidential election had been set for Sunday 24 March," the council of ministers said.
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🇸🇳 Opposition coalition welcomes the new election date in Senegal
The new date was welcomed by opposition presidential candidate Anta Babacar, who was among the majority of the 19 contenders in the race who were pushing for the vote to be held as soon as possible.
"I think this is very good news. This is the reason why we were fighting for these past weeks and days, because we knew that it was actually possible to hold these elections before April 2," she told.
She is also one of the leader of opposition coalition that was against Senegalese president Macky Sall's decision to postpone election date.
#Senegal
@africaintel
The new date was welcomed by opposition presidential candidate Anta Babacar, who was among the majority of the 19 contenders in the race who were pushing for the vote to be held as soon as possible.
"I think this is very good news. This is the reason why we were fighting for these past weeks and days, because we knew that it was actually possible to hold these elections before April 2," she told.
She is also one of the leader of opposition coalition that was against Senegalese president Macky Sall's decision to postpone election date.
#Senegal
@africaintel
Africa Intel
🇸🇳 Senegal schedules presidential election for March 24 Senegalese President Macky Sall has scheduled a delayed presidential election for March 24, the government said on Wednesday after a top court ruled that a proposal to hold the vote after his mandate…
🇸🇳 Senegal court confirms March poll, ending weeks of uncertainty
Senegalese presidential candidates faced a shortened race to election day on Thursday after the constitutional council confirmed the delayed vote would be held on March 24, kick-starting a competition that remains wide open.
Many hope the worst of the crisis is over after the council ruled on Wednesday that the vote must be held before President Macky Sall's mandate expires on April 2, prompting him to schedule it for March 24 - a date the top court has now approved.
The new date leaves the 19 candidates little more than two weeks to canvas support. It also means for the first time campaigning will take place during the holy month of Ramadan, when many in the Muslim-majority country fast.
#Senegal
@africaintel
Senegalese presidential candidates faced a shortened race to election day on Thursday after the constitutional council confirmed the delayed vote would be held on March 24, kick-starting a competition that remains wide open.
Many hope the worst of the crisis is over after the council ruled on Wednesday that the vote must be held before President Macky Sall's mandate expires on April 2, prompting him to schedule it for March 24 - a date the top court has now approved.
The new date leaves the 19 candidates little more than two weeks to canvas support. It also means for the first time campaigning will take place during the holy month of Ramadan, when many in the Muslim-majority country fast.
#Senegal
@africaintel
🇸🇳 Senegal kicks off short election campaign after poll delays
Senegalese presidential candidates launched their shortened campaigns on Saturday, two days after a court confirmed the election would be held on March 24, ending weeks of uncertainty and kick-starting a competition that remains wide open.
The new date leaves the 19 candidates little more than two weeks, rather than the usual 21 days, to drum up support. It also means that for the first time campaigning in the majority Muslim nation will take place during the holy month of Ramadan, which begins on Sunday night.
"We will have to adapt everything," opposition candidate and former mayor of the capital Dakar, Khalifa Sall, told.
The campaign period also coincides with the Christian period of Lent.
#Senegal
@africaintel
Senegalese presidential candidates launched their shortened campaigns on Saturday, two days after a court confirmed the election would be held on March 24, ending weeks of uncertainty and kick-starting a competition that remains wide open.
The new date leaves the 19 candidates little more than two weeks, rather than the usual 21 days, to drum up support. It also means that for the first time campaigning in the majority Muslim nation will take place during the holy month of Ramadan, which begins on Sunday night.
"We will have to adapt everything," opposition candidate and former mayor of the capital Dakar, Khalifa Sall, told.
The campaign period also coincides with the Christian period of Lent.
#Senegal
@africaintel
🇸🇳 Senegal opposition coalition promises new currency and revamp of oil contracts
A Senegalese opposition coalition backed by popular Ousmane Sonko launched its presidential campaign platform on Saturday with promises to create a new national currency and renegotiate mining and energy contracts.
There are no public election opinion polls in Senegal, but the coalition's candidate, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, is seen as a strong contender among the 19 candidates vying for the presidency in the March 24 vote.
"Convinced that full independence cannot be achieved without controlling the economy, livestock management, fisheries and agriculture, we are fully committed to achieving food, digital, fiscal, energy and scientific sovereignty," Faye said.
Members of Sonko's dissolved Pastef party and other parties formed a coalition and picked Faye as a candidate in November after Sonko was disqualified over a defamation conviction.
#Senegal
@africaintel
A Senegalese opposition coalition backed by popular Ousmane Sonko launched its presidential campaign platform on Saturday with promises to create a new national currency and renegotiate mining and energy contracts.
There are no public election opinion polls in Senegal, but the coalition's candidate, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, is seen as a strong contender among the 19 candidates vying for the presidency in the March 24 vote.
"Convinced that full independence cannot be achieved without controlling the economy, livestock management, fisheries and agriculture, we are fully committed to achieving food, digital, fiscal, energy and scientific sovereignty," Faye said.
Members of Sonko's dissolved Pastef party and other parties formed a coalition and picked Faye as a candidate in November after Sonko was disqualified over a defamation conviction.
#Senegal
@africaintel
🇸🇳 Freed from jail, Senegal opposition presidential candidate draws hundreds to first event
A day after his release from jail, Senegal opposition leader Bassirou Diomaye Faye drew hundreds of supporters at his first public appearance as a presidential contender on Friday for March 24 elections, promising to tackle corruption.
Next to him, the popular firebrand opposition leader Ousmane Sonko urged supporters to vote for his ally.
"We have an election to win. We have lost too much time," Sonko, also released from prison on Thursday, said at a joint news briefing.
Sonko threw his support behind Faye after being disqualified over a defamation conviction unrelated to his detention last July.
Most of Sonko's supporters are expected to vote for Faye, making the latter a serious threat to the other 18 presidential hopefuls, analysts say. Sonko is popular among urban youth frustrated with a lack of jobs and economic hardship.
#Senegal
@africaintel
A day after his release from jail, Senegal opposition leader Bassirou Diomaye Faye drew hundreds of supporters at his first public appearance as a presidential contender on Friday for March 24 elections, promising to tackle corruption.
Next to him, the popular firebrand opposition leader Ousmane Sonko urged supporters to vote for his ally.
"We have an election to win. We have lost too much time," Sonko, also released from prison on Thursday, said at a joint news briefing.
Sonko threw his support behind Faye after being disqualified over a defamation conviction unrelated to his detention last July.
Most of Sonko's supporters are expected to vote for Faye, making the latter a serious threat to the other 18 presidential hopefuls, analysts say. Sonko is popular among urban youth frustrated with a lack of jobs and economic hardship.
#Senegal
@africaintel
🇸🇳 Senegal opposition leader backs off promise to create national currency
Senegal will seek to implement a reform of the West Africa region's CFA franc currency at a regional level first and if that fails, will consider creating a national currency, opposition leader Ousmane Sonko said on Friday.
Speaking at a joint press conference with presidential candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye a day after they were both released from jail, Sonko's comments seemed aimed to ease concerns after their election campaign, which promised to introduce the new currency if Faye wins.
"We will try implement a monetary reform at the sub-regional level first," Sonko said. "If that fails, we will make a decision as a nation."
Sonko said that there is widespread view that CFA franc currency, pegged to the euro and used by eight countries of the West Africa Monetary Union, hampers economic development in the region, and there was a need to look at other options.
#Senegal
@africaintel
Senegal will seek to implement a reform of the West Africa region's CFA franc currency at a regional level first and if that fails, will consider creating a national currency, opposition leader Ousmane Sonko said on Friday.
Speaking at a joint press conference with presidential candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye a day after they were both released from jail, Sonko's comments seemed aimed to ease concerns after their election campaign, which promised to introduce the new currency if Faye wins.
"We will try implement a monetary reform at the sub-regional level first," Sonko said. "If that fails, we will make a decision as a nation."
Sonko said that there is widespread view that CFA franc currency, pegged to the euro and used by eight countries of the West Africa Monetary Union, hampers economic development in the region, and there was a need to look at other options.
#Senegal
@africaintel
🇸🇳 I have no apology for trying to delay Senegal polls: Sall
Senegal’s President Macky Sall has said that he had no regrets for his attempts to postpone elections that were due to be held last month, sparking deadly protests in the country.
Sall said that the decision to delay the vote was not taken unilaterally, but was due to electoral concerns raised by members of parliament.
"I have no apology to make, I have done nothing wrong. I am speaking to you as president of the republic. All the actions that have been taken have been within the framework of the law and regulations," President Sall said.
Sall insists that he will not stay a day longer even if Sunday’s vote presents no outright winner.
#Senegal
@africaintel
Senegal’s President Macky Sall has said that he had no regrets for his attempts to postpone elections that were due to be held last month, sparking deadly protests in the country.
Sall said that the decision to delay the vote was not taken unilaterally, but was due to electoral concerns raised by members of parliament.
"I have no apology to make, I have done nothing wrong. I am speaking to you as president of the republic. All the actions that have been taken have been within the framework of the law and regulations," President Sall said.
Sall insists that he will not stay a day longer even if Sunday’s vote presents no outright winner.
#Senegal
@africaintel
🇸🇳 Senegal opposition leader seeks to reassure investors ahead of Sunday vote
One of the most serious challengers to Senegalese President Macky Sall's party in Sunday's presidential election has sought to reassure investors about his plans for the nation set to begin producing oil and gas later this year.
Bassirou Diomaye Faye told he would "prioritise rebuilding the rule of law, restoring social cohesion and bringing stability" to protest-hit Senegal.
"This will allow investors to work with complete peace of mind and provide the country with the necessary calm for a proper economic take-off," Faye said.
"In that regard, no candidate can guarantee the security of foreign investors better than me," he said.
Faye was released from prison under a new amnesty law introduced to reduce tensions. He had been held since April on charges including defamation and contempt of court, which he denied.
#Senegal
@africaintel
One of the most serious challengers to Senegalese President Macky Sall's party in Sunday's presidential election has sought to reassure investors about his plans for the nation set to begin producing oil and gas later this year.
Bassirou Diomaye Faye told he would "prioritise rebuilding the rule of law, restoring social cohesion and bringing stability" to protest-hit Senegal.
"This will allow investors to work with complete peace of mind and provide the country with the necessary calm for a proper economic take-off," Faye said.
"In that regard, no candidate can guarantee the security of foreign investors better than me," he said.
Faye was released from prison under a new amnesty law introduced to reduce tensions. He had been held since April on charges including defamation and contempt of court, which he denied.
#Senegal
@africaintel
🇸🇳 Senegal's Ba criticises rival's national currency plan as bad for investment
The presidential candidate for Senegal's ruling coalition, former Prime Minister Amadou Ba, warned on Friday that an opponent's proposal to introduce a national currency could discourage investors, a prospect the country could not afford.
"Raising the debate around currency right now causes jitters among investors. Tomorrow, investors are going to wait and see before investing," Ba told. "Our economic and social situation does not allow us to create these kinds of uncertainty."
Ba is facing 18 other candidates in Senegal's presidential election on Sunday. No frontrunner has emerged, but the opposition has seen strong momentum behind Bassirou Diomaye Faye, a former tax inspector.
Faye has said he will first seek monetary reforms within the eight-nation West African Monetary Union that use the CFA franc. If that fails, he will push for a national currency.
#Senegal
@africaintel
The presidential candidate for Senegal's ruling coalition, former Prime Minister Amadou Ba, warned on Friday that an opponent's proposal to introduce a national currency could discourage investors, a prospect the country could not afford.
"Raising the debate around currency right now causes jitters among investors. Tomorrow, investors are going to wait and see before investing," Ba told. "Our economic and social situation does not allow us to create these kinds of uncertainty."
Ba is facing 18 other candidates in Senegal's presidential election on Sunday. No frontrunner has emerged, but the opposition has seen strong momentum behind Bassirou Diomaye Faye, a former tax inspector.
Faye has said he will first seek monetary reforms within the eight-nation West African Monetary Union that use the CFA franc. If that fails, he will push for a national currency.
#Senegal
@africaintel
🇸🇳 Senegal begins voting in delayed presidential election
Voting opened in Senegal on Sunday in a delayed presidential election taking place against a turbulent political backdrop that has triggered violent anti-government protests and boosted support for the opposition.
Lines formed outside polling stations in the early morning, while roads were largely deserted in the capital Dakar. The nation’s elite police force deployed across the city in armored vehicles and checked voters' cards. Results are expected next week.
In the run-up to Sunday’s vote, opposition leader Ousmane Sonkowas released from prison last week, triggering jubilant celebrations on the streets of Dakar and renewed excitement about the contest.
There are 19 contenders vying to replace President Macky Sall, who is stepping down after a second term.
#Senegal
@africaintel
Voting opened in Senegal on Sunday in a delayed presidential election taking place against a turbulent political backdrop that has triggered violent anti-government protests and boosted support for the opposition.
Lines formed outside polling stations in the early morning, while roads were largely deserted in the capital Dakar. The nation’s elite police force deployed across the city in armored vehicles and checked voters' cards. Results are expected next week.
In the run-up to Sunday’s vote, opposition leader Ousmane Sonkowas released from prison last week, triggering jubilant celebrations on the streets of Dakar and renewed excitement about the contest.
There are 19 contenders vying to replace President Macky Sall, who is stepping down after a second term.
#Senegal
@africaintel
🇸🇳 Opposition candidate Faye takes early lead in Senegal presidential polls
Early results from Senegal's presidential vote put opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye ahead, sending his supporters to celebrate in the streets, though his main rival from the ruling coalition said a run-off will be needed to determine the winner.
At least five of the 19 candidates in the race issued statements as results trickled after the election on Sunday, congratulating Faye.
Former prime minister Amadou Ba, the ruling coalition's candidate, said however that celebrations were premature.
"For our part, and considering the feedback of the results from our team of experts, we are certain that, in the worst case scenario, we will go to a run-off," Ba's campaign said.
#Senegal
@africaintel
Early results from Senegal's presidential vote put opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye ahead, sending his supporters to celebrate in the streets, though his main rival from the ruling coalition said a run-off will be needed to determine the winner.
At least five of the 19 candidates in the race issued statements as results trickled after the election on Sunday, congratulating Faye.
Former prime minister Amadou Ba, the ruling coalition's candidate, said however that celebrations were premature.
"For our part, and considering the feedback of the results from our team of experts, we are certain that, in the worst case scenario, we will go to a run-off," Ba's campaign said.
#Senegal
@africaintel
🇸🇳 Senegal opposition's Faye set to become president after rival concedes
Senegal opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye was set to be declared the country's next president after his rival from the ruling coalition called him on Monday to concede defeat.
Results trickling in since polls closed on Sunday evening in the first round of a delayed presidential election rapidly suggested Faye, 44, may have clinched an outright majority. The trends announced on local media sparked street celebrations by his supporters in the capital Dakar.
Ruling coalition candidate Amadou Ba, 62, initially called these celebrations premature and said a run-off vote would be needed to determine the winner.
But he then called Faye on Monday to offer his congratulations, a government spokesman told journalists.
"In light of presidential election result trends and while we await the official proclamation, I congratulate Faye for his victory in the first round," Ba said.
#Senegal
@africaintel
Senegal opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye was set to be declared the country's next president after his rival from the ruling coalition called him on Monday to concede defeat.
Results trickling in since polls closed on Sunday evening in the first round of a delayed presidential election rapidly suggested Faye, 44, may have clinched an outright majority. The trends announced on local media sparked street celebrations by his supporters in the capital Dakar.
Ruling coalition candidate Amadou Ba, 62, initially called these celebrations premature and said a run-off vote would be needed to determine the winner.
But he then called Faye on Monday to offer his congratulations, a government spokesman told journalists.
"In light of presidential election result trends and while we await the official proclamation, I congratulate Faye for his victory in the first round," Ba said.
#Senegal
@africaintel