Senegal President Macky Sall has said he will stand down on 2 April when his term is due to end, but it is still unclear when elections will be held to elect his successor.
He said the date of the elections will depend on the planned national dialogue that is set to begin on Monday, and which includes civil society groups, political parties and candidates.
"On 2 April 2024 my mission as the head of Senegal comes to an end...I would like this debate to be clearly settled,” he said during a televised interview.
His announcement assuages fears that he was planning to extend his term, amid a political crisis.
Mr Sall has been under pressure to announce an election date since attempting to delay it earlier this month.
He had wanted to postpone the elections to December so that disputes over the eligibility of other candidates could be resolved.
But the country's top court said the delay was unconstitutional and called for the election to be held "as soon as possible".
On Thursday, Mr Sall said he didn’t think elections could be held before he steps down.
It’s unclear who would be leading the country after Mr Sall’s mandate expires and before the elections are completed. Mr Sall said he was certain there would not be a void.
He said he would consider freeing his rivals, including opposition figure Ousmane Sonko, whose detention led to nationwide protests last year.
Latest Stories
-
I was suspended in SHS after making a dance video with my uniform – Lisa Quama
28 mins -
GTA gears up for National Tourism Awards 2024
32 mins -
Prof. Gyampo criticises vacating of MP seats due to cross-carpeting
3 hours -
A critical examination of Speaker Alban Bagbin’s ruling on potential breaches of Article 97(1)(G) and (H)
4 hours -
Trump calls 6 January ‘day of love’ when asked about Capitol riot
4 hours -
UTAG calls for immediate prosecution of persons arrested for engaging in galamsey
5 hours -
Prof Ransford Gyampo: And Speaker Bagbin declared 4 seats vacant…
5 hours -
Secret Service has ‘deep flaws’ and must overhaul leadership, report says
5 hours -
Kenya’s deputy president sacked while in hospital
5 hours -
One Direction ‘devastated’ at Liam Payne’s death
6 hours -
Ghana’s debt to ease to 70% of GDP in 2024; another debt default unlikely – Fitch
6 hours -
Meta fires staff for buying toothpaste, not lunch
6 hours -
U-20 AFCON 2025Q: Afriyie’s brace earns Ghana draw against Benin
6 hours -
US ‘click to cancel’ rule to ban subscription traps
6 hours -
Speaker is completely out of order; he is wrong on this ruling – K.T Hammond
6 hours