Senegal presidential election set for March 24 after weeks of turmoil

Senegal's political landscape sees a glimmer of stability as President Macky Sall declares March 24 as the date for the upcoming presidential election, ending weeks of uncertainty and chaos. The decision comes in the wake of the Constitutional Council's ruling, stating that holding the election after April 2, the end of Sall's current term, would be unconstitutional.

This decision overrules recommendations from a national dialogue suggesting a June election. Sall, who will step down as mandated, initially suspended the February vote citing candidate list disputes and alleged judicial corruption. This sparked unrest, leading to three deaths.

The National Assembly then attempted to postpone the vote to December, but the Constitutional Council deemed this move unconstitutional, paving the way for the March 24 date. The list of 19 candidates previously nominated will remain unchanged. (ILKHA)