Senegal’s President Macky Sall has asserted that he harbours no regrets for his efforts to postpone elections scheduled for last month, which ignited deadly protests in the country.
In an interview with the BBC, Mr. Sall emphasised that the decision to postpone the vote was not a unilateral one but stemmed from electoral concerns raised by members of parliament.
“I have no apology to make, I have done nothing wrong. I am speaking to you as president of the republic. All the actions that have been taken have been within the framework of the law and regulations,” President Sall stated.
Despite the violent clashes and political tension sparked by his plans to delay the polls, which were eventually overturned by the country’s top court, the elections are now set to take place on Sunday following a failed attempt to reschedule them for December.
Critics had accused the president of seeking to prolong his tenure in power. However, President Macky Sall maintains that he will not overstay his welcome, even if Sunday’s vote does not produce a clear winner.
Last week, the main opposition leader and fervent critic of Mr. Sall, Ousmane Sonko, along with his party’s presidential candidate, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, were released from prison under a presidential amnesty.
President Sall refutes claims that the charges against his rivals were politically motivated. Having served two terms in office, he is stepping down. His ruling coalition party, Benno Bokk Yakaar (BBY), has nominated 62-year-old Amadou Ba to vie for the presidency.