President Macky Sall yesterday reassured the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, by renewing his commitment to organising a transparent presidential election. Macky Sall also made it clear to his interlocutor that he remains committed to democracy, contrary to his detractors, who accuse him of being a dictator.

Since the announcement of the postponement of the presidential election, the Head of State has been the subject of constant solicitation and questioning by foreign personalities. This is the context in which Macky Sall’s telephone conversation with the US Secretary of State took place yesterday. Antony Blinken and the first Senegalese had a telephone conversation that lasted half an hour. According to our sources, the discussions revolved around the political situation in Senegal. The head of the State Department expressed to President Macky Sall his country’s wish to see Senegal pursue its democratic path in stability and peace.

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For his part, the Senegalese Head of State reiterated to his American interlocutor his commitment to organising the presidential election « in a transparent manner » and to bringing the electoral process to a successful conclusion. He also assured him that, contrary to the criticisms levelled at him by political players and other citizens, he would not distance himself from his commitment to democratic life.

In recent days, the United States has repeatedly called on the Senegalese authorities. 

On several occasions, Washington has issued press releases calling on Dakar to respect the electoral timetable. These repeated appeals were prompted by President Macky Sall’s decision to repeal the decree convening the electoral college and replacing it with another, thereby postponing the presidential election until 15 December 2024, following the National Assembly’s vote on a bill introduced by the Liberty, Democracy and Change parliamentary group.

By Mamadou T. DIATTA / mdiatta@lequotidien.sn

  • Translation by Ndey T. SOSSEH / Serigne S. DIAGNE