Al Jazeera’s Nicolas Haque recounts events leading up to Senegal’s presidential polls and how some hope for a miracle.
![Voters in Senegal will cast their ballot on March 24 after weeks of turmoil due to President Macky Sall's attempt to postpone the elections [John Wessels/AFP]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/AFP__20240302__34KN467__v1__Preview__SenegalPoliticsElectionProtest-1710323923.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
Senegal’s delayed election is due to go ahead this weekend. Here’s what you need to know.
Amid the president’s attempt to delay elections and protests by the opposition, how resilient is Senegal’s democracy?
The vote, originally scheduled to take place on February 25, was delayed after a dispute over the candidate list.
The firebrand politician and presidential candidate has faced a number of legal woes in recent years.
Not right away. But if the mood for talks grows, Africa and China hold advantages that could make them vital mediators.
President Macky Sall said ‘around 15 Senegalese people’ died in the accident after their boat capsized near Dakar.
Some opposition leaders and Sonko’s supporters fear the case is an attempt by Senegal’s president to remove a rival.
In a municipal election in January, the ruling party lost major cities to the opposition. Sunday’s poll is another test.
The displacement is due to a Senegalese military operation against rebels in Casamance fighting for independence.
A series of other deaths also have raised concerns about maternal and infant health in the West African nation.
Africa, still facing lingering pandemic economic blues, has been hit hard by rising costs linked to invasion of Ukraine.
President pledges ‘constructive dialogue’ with opposition and vows action on youth unemployment and women’s empowerment.
The 57-year-old incumbent received 58.27 percent of Sunday’s vote, which observers say had no major irregularities.
