Source: Al Jazeera
Senegalese citizens cast their ballots in a closely contested presidential election on Sunday, March 24, 2024, after a period of unrest and uncertainty in the West African nation. President Macky Sall’s unsuccessful attempt to postpone the vote until the end of the year sparked violent protests, leading to a heightened security presence in the capital, Dakar. The election, scheduled during the holy month of Ramadan, prohibits Sall from seeking a third term.
Lines formed outside polling stations as the nation’s elite police force monitored the voting process. Turnout appeared high, with observers emphasising the importance of voter participation to ensure the election’s legitimacy. Opposition leader Ousmane Sonko’s release from prison added excitement to the contest, despite being barred from running due to a prior conviction. Sonko’s ally, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, garnered significant support from voters seeking change.
Economic concerns, particularly high food and energy prices exacerbated by the war in Ukraine, dominated voter sentiment. Senegal’s youth unemployment rate, reaching almost a third, underscored the urgency for economic reforms. Despite challenges, Senegal maintains its democratic reputation in a region plagued by military coups.
With 19 candidates, including one woman, in the race, analysts predict a likely runoff due to no candidate expected to secure more than 50 percent of the vote. Former prime minister Amadou Ba, former Dakar mayor Khalifa Sall, and former prime minister Idrissa Seck are among the aspirants challenging for the presidency.
The electoral process, marked by violence and unrest, saw hundreds of opposition protesters jailed, reflecting growing tensions. Coalition-building efforts, evidenced by two candidates dropping out to support Faye, signal potential shifts in the race dynamics.
Editor: Andreea Gudin
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