World leaders Expresses Appreciation Towards Macky Sall
Leaders around the world shows appreciation towards Senegal’s President, Macky Sall for being a champion of peace and democracy by choosing not to run for a third term in their country’s next Presidential elections.
As the Senegalese constitution stipulates that a President cannot serve more than two terms, Macky sall is the first President to accept this term after he had previously campaigned against a third term by his predecessor, Abdoulaye Wade, who was in power from 2000 to 2012.
Macky Sall was first elected in 2012 for a seven-year term mandate and again in 2019 for a five-year term, following a constitutional revision of the presidential tenure. This suggested that he was legally eligible to run for two terms under the new constitution, which went into effect in 2016.
Ousman Sonko, an opposition leader who is a popular figure with Senegal’s disaffected youth, has painted President Sall as a corrupt, and would be dictator.
Recent rumors and accusations over the uncertainty as to whether Macky Sall had planned to seek a third term has fueled recent unrest and sometimes even violent protest over the past year in Senegal.
The most recent fuel of violent unrest was that of last month which was sparked by a two-year jail sentence against opposition leader Ousman Sonko on charges of corrupting youth.
Though Sonko was acquitted on other charges connected to an alleged rape, but the conviction means he is not eligible to stand for the presidential election in 2024.
Ousman Sonko calls all the allegations a political ploy to stop him from competing in the 2024 Presidential elections.
After Sonko’s conviction, a clash erupted between his supporters and the security forces claiming at least 16 lives which are recorded as part of the deadliest unrest in Senegal’s recent history.
On the eve of Sall’s nationwide address to announce that he was not seeking a third term, his fiercest critic, Ousman Sonko urged the public to come out and protest if Macky announces to run for a third term.
Sonko during his speech quoted “stand ready and be strong, if he (Sall) says he will seek a third term, we should rise up against that and all refuse.”
Macky Sall during his address to the nation says he is not running in the next presidential election. He further says, he feels that it is his duty not to contribute to destroying what he has built for his country and that there are a lot of other people capable of taking Senegal to the next level.
Ernest Bai Koroma, former President of Sierra Leone, UN Secretary- general Antonio Guterres along with President Barrow showed support to President Macky Sall for the decision he took for Senegal’s democracy.
“I commend President Macky Sall for his decision not to run for office for a third term, it is a courageous move and will strengthen democracy in Senegal, the sub-region and Africa at large”. President Barrow from The Gambia said.
After Senegal’s President Macky Sall made his decision not to run for a third term, supporters at his party’s headquarters in Dakar were divided. Some were happy with his decision whilst others were not.
A female supporter in tears quoted “That’s his choice and he is our leader, we accept his decision and we will support whoever he designates.”
Others felt it was time for a change.
Abdou Diagne, a 38-year-old Car Washer quoted “I don’t want him (Sall) to stand again; we have already given him 12 years. It’s time for him to go and let somebody else take over.”
