The African Union welcomes Sall’s “wise and healthy decision”, stressing that he has put the interest of the Senegalese first
July 4 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The President of Senegal, Macky Sall, has finally announced this Monday that he is ruling out running for a third term, due to criticism from the opposition in line with the limits of the Senegalese Constitution.
Sall, in a speech delivered tonight before Senegalese radio and television (RTS), has declared that his “long and carefully considered decision is not to be a candidate in the next elections on February 25, 2024”.
“I know that this decision will surprise all those whose sincere admiration, trust and loyalty I know. It will also surprise those who wish to see me continue to guide the construction of the country that is becoming more and more oriented. But Senegal is beyond me and is full of leaders who they are also capable of pushing the country through the emergency,” he said.
The Senegalese president has criticized the “speculation and comments” about his candidacy, rejecting an alleged “presidential ambition”, since he “never” wanted to “be hostage to this mandate.” “I would like to say that I have a clear conscience,” he added, recalling that he has commented on numerous occasions that this is his second and last term.
“From now until the transfer of power to the future president (…) I will responsibly and firmly assume all the responsibilities that correspond to my position. By virtue of the mandate entrusted to me and strictly consistent with my constitutional oath, I will continue dedicating all my forces to defend, unfailingly, constitutional institutions, respect for court rulings, the integrity of the territory, the protection of people and property,” he added.
STATEMENT ON DEATH IN THE PROTESTS
The leader of the African country has taken the opportunity to speak publicly about the deaths registered in the anti-government protests that have taken place, mainly, in the streets of the capital, Dakar.
In this sense, Sall has pointed out the “shadow of mourning” of some Senegalese because their “children were among those who lost their lives in unsustainable, unjustifiable and inexcusable violence.” “The lives of our fellow citizens cannot be sacrificed on the altar of political interests. We have the obligation to protect the lives and dignity of all,” he declared.
“In the face of the unbearable, the unspeakable, it is not always easy to pronounce oneself and, many times, words fail to express the full sadness that invades us. We have experienced particularly serious events, marked by unprecedented violence, which has caused deaths and injuries, as well as such as the massive destruction of public and private assets,” he said.
Thus, he has condemned the scenes of violence and looting, and their coincidence with a cyberattack against strategic government sites, since he considers that these acts “have nothing to do with political demonstrations.” “No claim can justify the murder, the dissemination of hate messages and violence on social networks, the looting (…)”, she pointed out.
“In the face of these inadmissible acts, the State remained standing and the Senegalese people, attached to their coexistence, refused to fall into the trap of this insurrectionary plot, at odds with democratic values and which sought to seize power by violence and destroy our model of society”, he indicated while showing his support for the security forces and promising to identify those responsible.
INTERNATIONAL REACTION
African Union Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat has welcomed Sall’s “wise and healthy decision” not to run in the 2024 presidential election, expressing his “admiration for the great statesman he is having put Senegal’s best interest first and thus preserving the Senegalese democratic model that is the pride of Africa”.
For his part, the former president of Niger Mahamadou Issoufou has considered that the Senegalese leader has shown “great political intelligence.” “Thus, Senegal continues to be one of the standard bearers whose flame illuminates our continent,” he asserted on his Twitter social network profile.
From Brussels, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, welcomed Sall’s announcement “with satisfaction”, highlighting the excellent cooperation between both parties and their defense of a “strong and respected” African continent. “The African Union in the G20, just climate transition and development finance reform: (are) so many challenges that we are facing together,” he said.
The Senegalese opposition has accused the president of orchestrating a harsh repression against dissidents and supporters of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko whose lawyer, Juan Branco, accused Sall himself and his Interior Minister, Antoine Félix Diome, of launching a ” widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population”.
Tension in the country peaked at the beginning of the month, with more than 15 people killed after Sonko was sentenced to two years in prison. The case against Sonko dates back to March 2021, when his arrest led to protests in which 15 deaths and significant material damage were recorded. Demonstrations in May to prevent his arrest resulted in three more deaths, including an officer run over in an accident by a police vehicle.
