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Senegal Election
Senegal President Macky Sall poses during an interview with The Associated Press at the presidential palace in Dakar, Senegal, Friday, Feb. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Sylvain Cherkaoui)

Senegal's president defends delaying elections in exclusive interview as protests erupt nationwide

Senegalese President Macky Sall defended his decision to postpone elections as violent protests erupted across the country

By SAM MEDNICK
Published - Feb 09, 2024, 11:01 PM ET
Last Updated - Feb 09, 2024, 11:01 PM EST

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Senegalese President Macky Sall defended his decision to postpone elections as violent protests erupted across the country on Friday.

In his first interview since announcing the delay, Sall brushed off allegations that the decision was unconstitutional and that he'd created a constitutional crisis, saying the country needed more time to resolve controversies over the disqualification of some candidates and a conflict between the legislative and judicial branches of government.

But much of the public fears that Sall, who faces term limits, is just seeking to delay leaving office.

Senegal is one of West Africa's most stable democracies, but the presidential vote has been dogged by controversies from deadly protests that resulted in Sall announcing that he would not seek a third term, to the disqualification of two opposition leaders by the highest election authority.

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