Senegal’s president ready to dialogue amid high political tensions

Senegalese President Macky Sall has said he was open to dialogue in the interest of “peace and national cohesion” amid high political tensions in one of West Africa’s most stable countries.
Speaking on state TV Monday (3 April) on the eve of Senegal’s 63rd independence anniversary, Sall made no mention of the 2024 presidential elections or if he would seek to play any role. Speculation has been rife that he will seek a third term, a move the opposition has warned would jolt the political climate. “In this spirit, I remain open to dialogue and consultation with all the living forces of the nation, in respect of the rule of law and the institutions of the Republic, for a united Senegal, a Senegal of peace, stability and national cohesion,” Sall said. Tensions have been simmering for weeks and months with the opposition organizing rallies in Dakar and other cities throughout the country denouncing corruption and the high cost of living and also protesting against legal proceedings against opposition figure Ousmane Sonko.
Sonko, who has already declared he’ll run for president in 2024, was last week found guilty of defaming a government minister while he is also battling rape charges. Prosecutors who had sought two years in prison for the opposition leader have filed an appeal after he was given a much lighter, two-month suspended sentence for his conviction on libel charges in a case his supporters say was politically motivated. The outcome of last week’s verdict thus allows Sonko to run for president next year though he still faces unrelated criminal charges in a pending rape case that would disqualify him if he is convicted. Sonko’s supporters view the charges as the latest attempt to cut short his political career, including his likely presidential candidacy in 2024.