Supporters of Senegalese president rally in Dakar

By James Tasamba

KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) - Hundreds of supporters of Senegalese President Macky Sall took to the streets in the capital, Dakar, Saturday to show support to the outgoing president who is facing criticism for postponing the Feb. 25 presidential election.

Images from the rally rivaled anti-Sall protests organized by opposition leaders and civil society groups, which have been taking place across the country since a decision to postpone the election was announced three weeks before the poll.

Demonstrators in the Liberte 6 district carried Senegalese flags, images of Sall and banners that read: “I love my president” and “Thank you, Macky.”

Protesters comprised of supporters of the Alliance for the Republic (APR), Sall’s party, and the ruling coalition of Benno Bokk Yaakaar (BBY), said they wanted to “thank President Sall for his achievements and show their support to his call for dialogue with the living forces of the nation.”

“President Macky Sall deserves all the honors. I would like to take this opportunity to send a message of peace and stability. That's what he's cultivated and that's what he's always wanted,” one marcher told local media.

Unlike opposition rallies, which have mostly been dispersed by security forces, the pro-Sall demonstration was sanctioned by authorities in a decree.

Sall, who has been in power since 2012, announced Thursday that his mandate as president will end April 2 and consultations for the organization of the election of his successor will start next week.

Sixteen candidates calling themselves FC25, however, said they will not participate in the talks because of their “commitment to democracy, respect for the fundamental principles of transparency and equal opportunities for all candidates.”

Sall announced Feb. 3 an indefinite suspension of the election, citing a dispute about the candidate list and alleged corruption of constitutional judges.

The National Assembly then passed a bill postponing the vote until Dec. 15 as security forces stormed the building and removed some opposition lawmakers.

But the Senegalese Constitutional Council declared the law postponing the presidential vote to December “unconstitutional” and annulled the decree to delay the poll.

The delay triggered violent protests, during which three people were killed and dozens arrested.