US government praises Senegal court ruling against election delay
The United States has applauded a court ruling that reversed the delay of Senegal’s presidential election to December.
In what appears to be its first reaction to the ruling, the U.S. government urged for a new “free and fair election” to take place as soon as possible.
Recall that Senegal’s Constitutional Council overturned a bill that delayed the Feb. 25 poll, causing electoral uncertainty in the country.
President Macky Sall affirmed on Friday his full compliance with the court’s decision, committing to conducting consultations to arrange the vote at the earliest opportunity.
The State Department said in a statement, “We note President Sall’s announcement that he will fully implement the Constitutional Council’s decision and take the necessary steps to organize the election as quickly as possible.”
“We urge all stakeholders to come together in the spirit of Senegal’s strong democratic tradition to support a free and fair election conducted in a peaceful and timely manner.”
President Sall had earlier announced that he would initiate the moves to organise the election without suggesting a new date.
However, some opposition parties have demanded that the election be held in April, when the incumbent president will expire.
The opposition and foreign powers pushed for compliance with the Constitutional Council’s ruling, likely easing tensions and fears of authoritarian overreach in Senegal.
