Senegal presidential election in deadlock as candidates reject talks

Senegal’s political crisis deepened on Friday as both presidential candidates and civil society groups refused President Macky Sall’s call for dialogue to determine a new election date.

The February 25th poll was abruptly postponed earlier this month, triggering weeks of unrest and accusations of a “constitutional coup.”

Facing mounting pressure to set a new date, Sall proposed talks with political and social actors beginning Monday. However, 16 of the 19 approved candidates, led by Boubacar Camara, denounced the plan and demanded a date be set before April 2nd, the end of Sall’s mandate.

“We oppose all proposals for dialogue and demand that a date be set,” Camara declared at a press conference. “We are calling for mobilization,” echoed fellow candidate Aliou Mamadou Dia, hinting at planned actions.

Civil society groups echoed the sentiment, with the Aar Sunu Election collective calling the dialogue “unacceptable” and an “attempt at diversion.” They demanded the vote be held before April 2nd, mirroring the candidates’ stance.

The opposition views the delay, overturned by the country’s top court, as a ploy to cling to power due to fears of defeat. Unrest following the postponement left four people dead, plunging the usually stable nation into turmoil.

Sall insisted the dialogue aims to “reach an agreement by late Tuesday,” hinting at the possibility of extending his term if no consensus is found. “The Constitutional Council will decide” in the absence of an agreement, he added.

However, Malick Diop of Aar Sunu Election warned, “Our position is (before) April 2, otherwise there will be a crisis.” The group plans to continue rallies in the coming days, adding to the tense atmosphere.

Candidate Thierno Alassane Sall accused the President of further maneuvers, suspecting him of selecting disunited participants to justify remaining in power beyond April 2nd. He even hinted at an offered “amnesty” to appease opposition figures.

With neither side seemingly willing to budge, the dialogue appears unlikely to break the deadlock. The coming days could see heightened tensions and potentially renewed unrest as Senegal’s political future hangs in the balance.

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