EU highlights Sall’s ‘statesman’ decision not to run for controversial third term

BRUSSELS, 4 Jul. (EUROPA PRESS) –

The European Union applauded on Tuesday the “statesman” decision of the President of Senegal, Macky Sall, not to stand for re-election and seek a controversial third term in the 2024 elections.

“This decision, intended to alleviate political and social tensions, is that of a great statesman and is part of Senegal’s long democratic tradition,” said the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell, in a release.

The EU also values ​​the national dialogue that has made it possible to build bridges between a large part of the political world, civil society and community leaders and has expressed its confidence that the 2024 electoral process will be peaceful and inclusive.

For its part, the Senegalese opposition has indicated that the decision has been marked by protests against a third term for Sall and the sentences handed down against prominent opposition figure Ousmane Sonko.

Sall said in a speech on Monday that he ruled out running for office in 2024 and maintained that the decision was “carefully” considered, assuring that Senegal goes beyond its figure and “is full of leaders who are also capable of pushing the country to through the emergency.