AFTER SEVERAL WEEKS Of
Political Violence, The Citizens Of Senegal Today Sunday March 24, 2024 Are
Voting To Elect The President Who Will Lead The West African Country.
The Race Involves 17
Candidates, While The Current President, Macky Sally, Remains On The Sidelines
After Reaching The Limit Of Two Phases Of Administration.
The Election Was
Originally Supposed To Be Held On February 25, But President Sally Postponed It
Until March 24, Causing Protests By Opposition Parties And A Democratic Crisis.
In The Election That Is
Said To Be Difficult, 7.3 Million People Expect To Vote.
Among Those Vying For The
Position Are The BBY Coalition Candidate, Former Prime Minister, Amadou Ba (62)
And His Main Opponent, Bassirou Diomaye Faye (44), Who Was Released From Prison
Last Week, After Being Held Since April 2023 For Sedition Charges, Which He
Claimed Were Politically Motivated.
Both Were Tax Inspectors
But Now Seem To Have Little Connection. Well, The Owner Makes Promises Of
Continuity While Faye Promises Big Changes.
Both Say They Will Win
The First Round -- But A Runoff Seems Likely Given The Presence Of 15 Other
Candidates In The Race, Including One Woman.
The Former Mayor Of Dakar,
Khalifa Sall (68) Is Considered To Have No Chance Of Winning.
The Winner Will Be Tasked
With Leading Senegal Back From Its Recent Troubles And Managing Revenues From
Oil And Gas Reserves, Which Are About To Begin Production.
Voting Will End In The
Evening And The First Official Results Are Expected Next Week.
Senegal Has Traditionally
Been Considered A Beacon Of Democracy And Stability In A Region Affected By
Revolution, Where Russia Is Strengthening Its Influence. Hundreds Of Observers
Will Be Present Representing Civil Society Organizations, The African Union,
The ECOWAS Regional Group And The European Union.