Senegal: Macky Sall and Idrissa Seck speak on the sidelines of the Korité festival

The possible candidacy for a third term of President Macky Sall agitates Senegalese society. (Illustrative image) HO / SENEGAL PRESIDENTIAL PRESS OFFICE / AFP

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2 min

Senegal celebrates Korité, the end of Ramadan. Two central figures of Senegalese politics spoke on the sidelines of the festivities: President Macky Sall in a radio interview and his now former ally Idrissa Seck. The latter confirmed his political break with the president.

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With our correspondent in Dakar, Juliette Dubois

Asked about the question of a third term, Macky Sall once again refused to decide. "I understand the concern of the Senegalese, but the time will come, it is for soon," he said in an interview on private radio RFM. He mentioned many economic topics: cost of living, food sovereignty, exploitation of gas and oil which must begin at the end of the year....

The president also returned to the political context of the moment. Asked about the restrictions on freedoms denounced by several NGOs, he replied: "There are no political detainees in Senegal." According to him, those imprisoned broke the rules or committed acts of violence. On the subject of accusations of interference in justice to remove political rivals, Macky Sall assured that the powers remained separate.

For his part, the President of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council, Idrissa Seck formalized the end of his alliance with the President of the Republic at a press conference this afternoon. He also confirmed his candidacy for the 2024 presidential election. He officially leaves the ruling coalition Benno Bokk Yakaar and his position on the Economic, Social and Environmental Council.

The ministers of his Rewmi party, for sports and livestock, are also expected to resign. The former opponent, who came 2nd in the 2019 election, had joined the camp of President Macky Sall in 2020. Idrissa Seck is now standing up against a third term of his former ally.

The wishes of Karim Wade and Ousmane Sonko

Exiled opposition leader Karim Wade, son of former President Abdoulaye Wade, conveyed his wishes from Korité in a written statement from Doha. He says he has "found the strength to forgive those who have hurt me." "Despite having been the most slandered politician in Senegal's history," he wrote, "unjustly imprisoned and forced into exile far from my country, my family, my loved ones and my political family, I have no resentment towards anyone." Karim Wade says he is "now looking to the future." It calls for reconciliation after the 2024 presidential election.

In a message on Twitter, Ousmane Sonko, the leader of Pastef and declared candidate in the next election, prays that Senegalese have found during the month of Ramadan "the strength and patriotic energy to face the common challenges ahead".

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