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Senegal’s President Reiterates Stepping Down on April 2


FILE — Senegal President Macky Sall poses during an interview with The Associated Press at the presidential palace in Dakar, Senegal, on February 9, 2024.
FILE — Senegal President Macky Sall poses during an interview with The Associated Press at the presidential palace in Dakar, Senegal, on February 9, 2024.

DAKAR, SENEGAL — Senegal’s President Macky Sall on Thursday reiterated that he would step down from his post as planned on April 2, seemingly rejecting one of the conclusions of his own political talks aimed at settling weeks of crisis.

The traditionally stable West African nation plunged into its worst turmoil in decades after Sall's last-minute deferral of the presidential election, that was due to take place last Sunday.

The president launched a two-day "national dialogue" on Monday to find a new election date.

The conclusions recommended that the election be held on June 2, two months after Sall's mandate expires, and that he remains president until his successor is installed.

Sall, who has been in power since 2012 but is not seeking a third term, said on Wednesday that he would seek the opinion of Senegal’s Constitutional Council on the conclusions. But on Thursday, he reiterated that his departure date remained "absolutely firm."

"The national dialogue has proposed June 2, 2024 as the new date for Senegal’s presidential elections," Sall posted on X, formerly Twitter.

"However, I would like to make it clear that I will be leaving office at the end of my term on April 2, as I have already indicated," he added.

Sall has said several times in recent days that he would step down at the beginning of April. But on Monday, he left open the possibility of an extension.

"If there's a consensus, I'm prepared, in the best interests of the nation, to take it upon myself to stay on even if it's not my choice," he said.

Senegal’s constitution makes no provision for a possible scenario in which Sall leaves office on April 2, with an election only taking place two months later.

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