By Nasratu Kargbo
Following the postponement of the General Elections in Senegal and the spate of demonstrations across the country, the ECOWAS Parliament has urgently called for calm and asked that the country’s political actors avoid using any form of discourse that could lead to violence or create more tension in the country.
This was contained in a Draft Declaration dated 13th February 2024 on the pre-electoral political situation in Senegal.
“The parliamentary diplomacy mission invites all stakeholders to give priority to the fundamental interests of the Senegalese nation, including peace and stability as well as respect for the Constitution, the promotion of democracy, the rule of law and social cohesion” a part reads.
The mission in one of their recommendations urged all socio-political actors to ensure they urgently engage in an inclusive political dialogue that will involve all relevant and interested political and social stakeholders.
It was noted that engagements be held to agree on consensual solutions and create favourable conditions for the conduct of an open, credible, inclusive, and transparent presidential election.
The idea of the ECOWAS Commission sending a joint delegation also involving the ECOWAS Parliament to Senegal as early as next week to facilitate the organization of the national political dialogue as a matter of emergency was highlighted.
It was acknowledged that change of power has always been managed smoothly in Senegal and that one of the key characteristics of its political landmark since independence is the regular organization of elections in a generally peaceful and transparent manner, despite the challenges.
“Currently, the presidential elections scheduled to take place on February 25th, 2024 have been postponed. The decision is a source of tensions which could lead to a deadlock and jeopardize the tradition of peace and stability needed for the organization of elections under conditions of transparency and justice” a part of the statement by the ECOWAS Parliament reads.
The Republic of Senegal is one of the fifteen ECOWAS states from the time of the creation of the Organization in 1975. It became independent on 4 April 1960 and has since been recognized as one of the most stable countries in Africa. The country has had a democratic system that has never been shaken up by coups détat, unlike most of the ECOWAS member states.
Copyright © 2024 Politico (16/02/24)
