Senegal’s President Macky Sall has defended his decision to attempt to postpone elections, which triggered deadly protests in the country last month. In an interview with the BBC, President Sall stated that the decision was made in response to concerns raised by members of parliament and was within the framework of the law.
Despite the violent clashes and political tension resulting from his attempts to delay the polls, President Sall expressed no regrets, asserting that he had done nothing wrong. The country’s top court eventually overturned his plans, leading to the elections being rescheduled for Sunday. This followed a failed attempt to push them to December.
Critics accused President Sall of attempting to extend his stay in power, but he insists that he will not remain in office beyond his constitutional term limits, even if Sunday’s vote does not produce a clear winner. The main opposition leader, Ousmane Sonko, and his party’s presidential candidate, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, were recently released from prison under a presidential amnesty, although President Sall denies that their charges were politically motivated.
Source: BBC NEWS