Opposition figures excluded from the list of candidates validated by the Constitutional Council for the upcoming presidential election on February 25th continue to voice their discontent. In simultaneous press conferences on Monday afternoon, both the camps of Karim Wade and Ousmane Sonko reiterated their indignation.
During a spirited press conference at the headquarters of the Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS), Karim Wade’s camp was uncompromising, demanding the reinstatement of their candidate on the list of presidential contenders, even if it requires pursuing legal remedies before the ECOWAS Court of Justice.
Maguette Sy, the representative of Karim Wade, contends that their candidate was unfairly sidelined from the presidential race, emphasizing that he had indeed renounced his French nationality. “For 10 years, Karim Wade has faced constant political and judicial conspiracies, unjustly imprisoned and forcibly exiled.
This new decision by the Constitutional Council constitutes an additional violation of his rights as a Senegalese citizen. It is the second time that Karim Wade is arbitrarily prevented from participating in a presidential election.”
The frustration was also evident among the allied leaders of candidate Ousmane Sonko, within the Leaders alliés du candidat Ousmane Sonko (Lacos). Birame Souley Diop, vice-president of the dissolved Pastef party, denounces the rejection of the opposition candidate, a prominent contender in the upcoming presidential poll. “We call for a united front from the entire opposition, all those who have been excluded, the designation of an independent body to organize the elections, but most importantly, we must vote. While Bassirou Diomaye Faye is a candidate, it is Ousmane Sonko who is the candidate.”
Despite the appeal for unity, leaders Cheikh Tidiane Dieye and Habib Sy, who are part of Lacos, are still listed as candidates in the presidential election.