Brussels 08.03.2024 “The decisions of the Constitutional Council and the Presidency of the Republic set the date of the presidential election before the end of the President’s mandate on April 2, and establish the legal framework for the continuity of the State beyond this date. They thus end a period of uncertainty while demonstrating the vitality and resilience of institutions and the rule of law in Senegal” reads the statement of the European External Actions Service press-person, concerning the situation in Senegal (pictured).

“The EU welcomes the fact that Senegalese citizens can thus choose their political leaders through elections within the allotted time frame, and calls on all institutional, political and civil society actors to commit to a peaceful electoral campaign, for the holding of credible and transparent elections while respecting fundamental rights and freedoms.

“The EU will continue its support for the electoral process, particularly through its electoral observation mission, as Senegal had invited it to do”.

Senegal’s government has announced that the presidential election will take place on 24 March.

The announcement follows tension in the West African nation after President Macky Sall delayed the election last month, provoking widespread protests.

Meanwhile Parliament has also passed an amnesty law for crimes linked to the protests.

The President’s opponents had accused him of conspiring a constitutional coup d’état but he denied seeking to extend his term of office.