After Long Wait, Senegal Set To Elect A New President

Senegal has never witnessed a military coup and is regarded as the bastion of West African democracy.

After a long wait that saw unrest and uncertainty over the future of democracy in Senegal, the West African country finally took to the polls on Sunday to elect a new president as President Macky Sall’s 12-year reign nears its end.

About 7.3 million Senegalese citizens are expected to vote as 19 candidates vie for the country’s highest position.

Recall that the country was thrown into unrest after President Macky Sall initiated a bill that postponed the election from February 25 to ten months later.

After much pressure, the election date was settled for March 24, 2024, to the appeasement of citizens who protested against moves to delay the election as the popularity of President Sall continues to wane.

The 19 contenders for the presidency include Amadou Ba, a candidate of the ruling coalition with strong support from President Macky Sall.

Bassirou Diomaye is the leading opposition candidate. He was chosen by opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, who was recently released from prison, as part of moves to prove to citizens that President Sall is committed to a democratic change in government.

Related: Meet Anta Babacar Ngom, The Only Woman Contesting In The Senegalese Presidential Election

Khalifa Sall, a former minister and former mayor of Dakar, is another strong opposition candidate, as the ruling coalition expects a tough election.

40-year-old business executive Anta Babacar Ngom is the only female candidate in the election. Her chances are slim, but she has remained resilient in her push, as activists say it is a great step towards promoting gender equality and campaigns for women’s rights in Senegal.

Opposition candidates have warned against electoral fraud, while the government has promised a free and fair election.