Successful polls in Senegal, Liberia strengthened democracy roots in West Africa: Nigerian president

By Timothy Olanrewaju

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AA) – The successful elections in Senegal and Liberia have strengthened the roots of democracy in West Africa, the subregional bloc's chairman said.

Bola Tinubu, Nigeria's president and chair of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), said the outcome of elections in the two countries will make democracy grow stronger in the subregion.

"The success of the presidential election in Senegal and successful conduct of the general election in Liberia a few months ago have affirmed long-held conviction that the taproot of democracy is deeply established in West Africa and will only grow stronger," Tinubu said in a statement late Wednesday.

He urged political actors and leaders to nourish democracy in West African countries through good governance, justice, and fairness.

The peaceful conduct of Senegal's presidential election will help ECOWAS in its efforts to promote peace and stability in the subregional bloc's 15 member countries, he said.

He praised Senegal President-elect Bassirou Diomaye Faye and outgoing President Macky Sall for their commitment to a peaceful election despite initial challenges.

The postponement of the country's presidential election, which had been scheduled for Feb. 25 this year, sparked protests throughout the West African coastal nation.

President Sall, who will end his two-term term on April 2, cited an alleged disagreement over the list of cleared presidential candidates as the reason for the shift in early February.

Many Senegalese claimed the move was intended to help the candidate of his Benno Bokk Yakaar (BBY) coalition, who is also the prime minister, gain popularity ahead of the election.

Senegal, one of Africa's longest-standing democracies, has maintained political stability for decades.

Liberia held its presidential poll in November 2023.