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Senegal: Macky Sall’s reputation is dented, but the former president did a lot at home and abroad

Senegal: Macky Sall’s reputation is dented, but the former president did a lot at home and abroad

MACKY Sall’s legacy as Senegal’s president since 2012 became more complex in his last year in office. The year was so filled with transgressions that they appeared to have tarnished his reputation indelibly. For some months he gave the impression to his adversaries and critics that he had third-term ambitions – not uncommon in contemporary west African politics. A public outcry followed his decision on 3 February 2024 to postpone the polls that had originally been scheduled for three weeks later. Then his deputies in the national assembly voted unanimously to postpone the elections and prolong Sall’s term in office…
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Senegal’s Faye set to become president in opposition victory

Senegal’s Faye set to become president in opposition victory

SENEGAL opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye, a political newcomer popular among the country's disaffected youth, was set to be declared the next president after his main rival called him to concede defeat. Provisional results showed Faye with about 53.7% and Amadou Ba - from the current ruling coalition - with 36.2% based on tallies from 90% of polling stations in the first-round vote, the electoral commission said. Ba and President Macky Sall both congratulated Faye, who turned 44 on Monday. They hailed the outcome as a win for Senegal, whose reputation as one of West Africa's most stable democracies took…
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From prison to palace: Faye’s road to Senegal’s presidency

From prison to palace: Faye’s road to Senegal’s presidency

JUST a few months ago, the man set to be Senegal's next president, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, was sitting in a prison cell, a relatively unknown figure outside his opposition party Pastef. Everything changed for him when the party's firebrand leader, Ousmane Sonko, who was also detained, was charged with insurrection in July and barred from running in elections to succeed President Macky Sall. That cleared the way for Faye to emerge from the shadow of his former boss and eventually from prison, take over the race and on Monday - the day of his 44th birthday - emerge as the victor after his opponent conceded…
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Opposition candidate Faye takes early lead in Senegal presidential polls

Opposition candidate Faye takes early lead in Senegal presidential polls

EARLY results from Senegal's presidential vote put opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye ahead, sending his supporters to celebrate in the streets, though his main rival from the ruling coalition said a run-off will be needed to determine the winner. At least five of the 19 candidates in the race issued statements as results trickled after the election on Sunday, congratulating Faye. Former prime minister Amadou Ba, the ruling coalition's candidate, said however that celebrations were premature. "For our part, and considering the feedback of the results from our team of experts, we are certain that, in the worst case scenario,…
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Senegal’s Ba criticises rival’s national currency plan as bad for investment

Senegal’s Ba criticises rival’s national currency plan as bad for investment

THE presidential candidate for Senegal's ruling coalition, former Prime Minister Amadou Ba, warned on Friday that an opponent's proposal to introduce a national currency could discourage investors, a prospect the country could not afford. "Raising the debate around currency right now causes jitters among investors. Tomorrow, investors are going to wait and see before investing," Ba told journalists in Dakar. "Our economic and social situation does not allow us to create these kinds of uncertainty." Ba, 62, is facing 18 other candidates in Senegal's presidential election on Sunday. No frontrunner has emerged, but the opposition has seen strong momentum behind Bassirou…
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Senegal’s ex-President Wade and party back opposition candidate Faye

Senegal’s ex-President Wade and party back opposition candidate Faye

SENEGAL'S former President Abdoulaye Wade and his Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS) endorsed opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye, in a boost to Faye's chances of winning Sunday's presidential election. The move came after Wade's son, Karim Wade, was disqualified from contesting the race for the PDS because he was a dual citizen at the time he submitted his candidacy. He had been in the process of renouncing his French citizenship. A week ago, the country's Supreme Court rejected a PDS attempt to have the election delayed. The party had argued that irregularities and alleged corruption led to the elimination of their candidate. "Given…
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Senegal’s fishermen head for Spain as fish stocks dwindle at home

Senegal’s fishermen head for Spain as fish stocks dwindle at home

FISHERMAN Khalifa Ndour says Senegalese President Macky Sall is responsible for the plunge in his country's fish stocks that forced him to risk his life to seek work as a farmhand in northeastern Spain. Back home in Senegal, his wife Mariatou Mbodj misses her husband. She can't find work as a fish processor, and she and Ndour's three children wait anxiously in Bargny, on the coast south of the capital Dakar, for news of his progress in getting legalised in Spain. Ndour, 42, is one of tens of thousands of Africans, many former fishermen, making a perilous journey to Spain…
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Senegal’s election: What is at stake for investors?

Senegal’s election: What is at stake for investors?

INTERNATIONAL investors will be closely monitoring the presidential election in Senegal, scheduled for March 24, after delays incited widespread protests. The country, usually one of coup-prone West Africa's most stable democracies, has been gripped by tension since early February, when President Macky Sall tried to postpone the vote that had been due to take place on Feb. 25 by 10 months, leading to warnings of democratic backsliding. WHAT ARE INVESTORS FOCUSED ON? Senegal has about $4.2 billion of outstanding international bonds, two issued in euros and three in U.S. dollars. For investors in those bonds, the current focus is on whether the presidential vote will be…
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Senegal opposition leader backs off promise to create national currency

Senegal opposition leader backs off promise to create national currency

SENEGAL will seek to implement a reform of the West Africa region's CFA franc currency at a regional level first and if that fails, will consider creating a national currency, opposition leader Ousmane Sonko said. Speaking at a joint press conference with presidential candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye a day after they were both released from jail, Sonko's comments seemed aimed at easing concerns after their election campaign, which promised to introduce the new currency if Faye wins. Faye is one of the main candidates in Senegal's March 24 presidential election. He is backed by the popular firebrand Sonko, who was disqualified from…
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Freed from jail, Senegal opposition presidential candidate draws hundreds to first event

Freed from jail, Senegal opposition presidential candidate draws hundreds to first event

A day after his release from jail, Senegal opposition leader Bassirou Diomaye Faye drew hundreds of supporters at his first public appearance as a presidential contender for the March 24 elections, promising to tackle corruption. Next to him, the popular firebrand opposition leader Ousmane Sonko urged supporters to vote for his ally. "We have an election to win. We have lost too much time," Sonko, also released from prison on Thursday, said at a joint news briefing. Firebrand Sonko - who was seen as the key challenger to President Macky Sall's ruling party - threw his support behind Faye after being disqualified over…
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