Written by Bate Felix
DAKAR (Reuters) – Senegal will hold a postponed presidential election on Sunday amid an unusually tense post-election political situation. Macky Sal failed to postpone the vote, and two key opponents were released, giving the opposition a boost.
Sall's support in Senegal, usually one of West Africa's most stable democracies prone to coups, declined during his second and final term. For the first time in this country's history, an incumbent will not appear on the ballot.
The ruling coalition has chosen former prime minister and finance minister Amadou Ba, 62, as its candidate, who will pursue investor-friendly policies as Senegal prepares to become an oil and gas producer by the end of 2024. There is a high possibility that it will.
But Mr. Ba faces a crowded opposition field of 18 candidates, most notably Basil, a 43-year-old former national tax inspector who was pushed to the front by support from incendiary opposition leaders. This is Mr. Diomai Faye. Usman Sonko.
Sonko is popular among urban youth frustrated by job shortages and economic hardship and came third in the 2019 presidential election, but was disqualified this time around due to a defamation conviction. After months in detention, Sonko and Fay were released on March 14 under a pardon proposed by Sall, and their rallies have since been attended by thousands of people.
“The rebels have definitely gained momentum after the release of Fay and Sonko,” said Mukahid Durmaz, senior West Africa analyst at risk intelligence firm Verisk Maplecroft. “Sonko's charisma and passionate presence are fueling Fay's campaign.''
Without polls, it is unclear which candidates can secure more than 50% of the vote to avoid a runoff.
Fay, who was held on charges of defamation and contempt of court, has pledged to tackle inequality and corruption and proposed financial and institutional reforms and the renegotiation of oil, gas and mining contracts.
Dahmaz said a Fay victory would give the state more power over the economy and resources. He said that while the pace of reforms is likely to be slower, it could damage Senegal's reputation as an attractive investment destination.
months of confusion
Other politicians whose top two candidates could advance to the second round are: Khalifa Salformer mayor of the capital Dakar, Idrissa Seck, 68, and veteran politician Idrissa Seck, 64, who came in second place in the 2019 election with 21% of the vote.
The election was originally scheduled for February 25, but Sall abruptly postponed it to February 3, just hours before campaigning began. He cited risks posed by disputes over the list of candidates as the reason for the postponement.
The decision sparked a wave of violence, and the country's highest constitutional authority, the Constitutional Council, delayed a vote and rejected an attempt to extend Sall's term beyond April 2.
Months of turmoil have heightened fears of a setback for one of the region's most stable democracies, which has seen eight military coups in three years.
Approximately 7.3 million people out of Senegal's population of approximately 17 million are registered to vote, and more than 60% of them are under the age of 25.
Mohamadou Diallo, 25, a telecommunications engineer, said the next president must restore trust in the government and the people and tackle growing inequality.
“The cost of living is too high and there are no jobs,” said Diallo, 25. “Given the resources, wealth should be redistributed more equitably and more equitably.”
“There are buildings on every street corner, but people can't afford to buy a house or even land. This reality creates frustration that builds up over time,” he said.
(Reporting by Bate Felix and Ngouda Dione; Editing by Alexandra Hudson)
