Opinion: Thank you President Macky Sall for respecting term limits
By Adama Jallow
The bold decision made by Senegalese President Macky sall for respecting term limits and not vying for third term in the coming presidential election set for 25th February 2024 is welcoming and beautiful news not only for Senegal but also for Africa and whole world.
His respect for the country’s constitution will ever remain to serve as a lesson and legacy for other African states now and in the future, since the continent has been faced with bad experience of African leaders who would always try to bend rules by changing their constitutions just to stay in power.
President Macky Sall’s decision could also be said to have saved many innocent lives in Senegal if he had decided to force himself to run for third term unconstitutionally. “Thank you President Macky Sall for respecting term limits” and congratulations, you are a great man with values.
President Sall could be seen as one of the world’s outstanding leaders such as first Senegalese President Leopold Sedar Senghore who was the first African president to voluntarily retire on 31st December, 1980.
former U.S. President, Barack Obama who also served for two terms with contentment, late South African President, Nelson Mandela who served for one term, George Washington and Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere, former president of Tanzania who also voluntarily retired in 1985.
These leaders have shown not only their respect for term limits, but also their love for humanity and their countries.
However, the decision followed longstanding rumors that President Macky Sall was going to violate the nation’s Constitution, a dust of which he cleared and shamed the devil.
Despite receiving numerous calls from 512 mayors, opinion leaders, religious leaders likewise the diaspora, President Macky Sall revealed, he confirmed that he would not run for the presidency.
It is with the belief that after serving two terms in office as the President of Senegal with numerous developments registered in various sectors, it would be a wise decision to consider national interest over individual interest.
President Macky Sall’s respect for term limit is an indication of his love and respect for humanity, the rule of law with the belief that his country has young and vibrant citizens with new visions like him who equally have new blood and ideas with the capacity to move Senegal forward.
His decision could be seen to be perfectly attributed to be in line with former U.S President, Barack Obama’s advocates, who called on the African Union (AU) and African presidents to respect term limits and Constitution, saying no one should be a president forever.
Former U.S. President, Barack Obama had served for only two terms and was succeeded by former President Donald Trump who also served for only one term.
It is certain that there are lots of things President Macky Sall can do after his presidency to keep Senegal moving, but the law is the law and no one is above the law, even the president, as stated by former U.S President, Barack Obama.
Furthermore, President Macky Sall’s bold decision should be a clear signal worth emulating by other African presidents who are expected to also take such a bold decision in respect for term limits in the soul interest of their people and countries.
