Opposition leader Ousmane Sonko fails to secure spot in Senegal’s final presidential list

Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko and Karim Wade, a former president Abdoulaye Wade’s son, were excluded from a final list of 20 presidential contestants released by the constitutional council on Saturday.

President Macky Sall will step down in July after ruling out a third term, putting an end to months of speculation that contributed to some of the bloodiest violence in the largely peaceful West African country.

Some key contestants who made the list include President Sall’s anointed candidate, Prime Minister Amadou Ba, former Dakar mayor Khalifa Sall, and former Prime Minister Idrissa Seck.

Mr. Sonko’s bid for the presidential election was ruled ineligible due to a suspended sentence linked to a defamation case.

The young politician has been fighting several court trials since 2021, and the authorities deny that his arguments are politically motivated.

Sonko’s treatment by the Senegalese authorities has fueled protests, and more are expected in the days ahead in response to the latest development.

Karim Wade is another significant candidate excluded from the final list. He and Khalifa Sall saw their ambitions of candidacy in the previous presidential race shattered by judicial sentences.

President Sall’s chosen successor Ba, long-time opponent Khalifa Sall and former premier Seck, who is running for the fourth time, are the top contenders for the poll.

The Presidential elections are scheduled to be held next month, 25 February 2024.