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Tag: Macky Sall

  • Senegal postpones national election indefinitely

    Senegal postpones national election indefinitely

    Senegalese President Macky Sall, yesterday, announced the indefinite postponement of the presidential election scheduled for February 25, just hours before official campaigning was due to start.

    In an address to the nation, Sall said he signed a decree abolishing a previous measure that set the date as lawmakers investigate two Constitutional Council judges whose integrity in the election process has been questioned.

    A minister in the Senegal government said he was resigning his post Saturday, hours after Sall announced the indefinite postponement of the February 25 presidential election.

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    Abdou Latif Coulibaly said in a statement he was quitting because he wanted to have “full and complete freedom” to defend his political convictions.

    The US State Department yesterday urged Senegal to “swiftly” set a date for a new election, after Sall announced the indefinite postponement of a presidential poll scheduled for February 25.

    “We urge all participants in Senegal’s electoral process to engage peacefully in the important effort to swiftly set a new date and the conditions for a timely, free and fair election,” the department’s Bureau of African Affairs posted on X.

    “We acknowledge allegations of irregularities, but we are deeply concerned about the disruption to the Presidential electoral calendar.”

  • PHOTOS: Buhari, Obasanjo attend President Sall’s inauguration

     

     

     

  • Buhari in Senegal for Sall’s inauguration

    President Muhammadu Buhari departed Abuja yesterday for Dakar, Senegal, to attend the inauguration of Senegalese President, Macky Sall, following his re-election for a second term.

    On the invitation of his host, Buhari, who chairs ECOWAS, will be the Special Guest of Honour at the ceremonies attended by African leaders at the Diamniadio Exhibition Centre today.

    The Nigerian leader, according to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, was accompanied by Governors Mohammed Abubakar, Nasir El-Rufai and Tanko Al-Makura of Bauchi, Kaduna and Nasarawa states.

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    Others on the entourage include the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama; National Security Adviser Maj-Gen Babagana Monguno (rtd); Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufai, and other top officials.

     

  • Buhari congratulates President Sall

    President  Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated his Senegalese counterpart, Macky Sall on his re-election for a second term.

    President Buhari in a statement by Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Femi Adesina on Thursday commended the people of Senegal on the successful and peaceful conduct of the presidential election.

    He said that the scenario of successful elections in West African countries was a sign of hope that democracy has come to stay in the sub-region.

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    While wishing the Senegalese people peace, stability and progress, President Buhari said he looked forward to working with President Sall to advance existing bilateral cooperation in various fields for the benefits of their citizens.

    At the sub-regional level, the Nigerian leader expressed readiness to partner with his Senegalese counterpart to achieve greater progress in the economic, governance, peace, security and humanitarian fields.

  • President Sall presents new book to public

    President of the Republic of Senegal, Macky Sall today presented his new book “Le Sénégal au Cœur” to the press at The Terrou Bi hotel in Dakar. The book presentation also coincides with his 57th birthday.

    According to a statement, the book is based on his character defining experiences from childhood to being in the many positions of leadership that led to him being the fourth and youngest President of Senegal. It touches on his long march made possible, by holding on to his faith and principles of discipline and firmness, which led him to the helm of his treasured Senegal.

    An opportunity he does not take lightly, as he pushes through his emergence blueprint that is fast seeing Senegal as a developed nation on the cusp of a transformational breakthrough. It is apt that as he concludes his first term in office in February 2019 and prepares for the battle of his second term, Senegalese gets to know more intimately the man they often reproach for being too rigid and nicknamed “Niangal” in Wolof. A nickname he somehow accepts as he himself accepts that he can come across as such from the outside. An image that is not helped by Sall being an expert in engineering and geology with a very pragmatic outlook on life.

    “This book places Sall’s heart on the table for all to see the complexities that make up the man, Macky Sall. It is a story that connects the president’s past with the youth of today’s present. It is a story of sacrifice, hardship, personal growth and powerful dreams for the future, with many experiences and aspirations that most children of the developing world can relate to. In the book, we learn about the harsh realities faced by Sall, like many other rural children such as, walking many miles to get to school. An experience that led to his decisions to map out a greater life for himself and a trajectory of a bright destiny. He discusses his very sour relationship with his predecessor and then mentor, Abdoulaye Wade and all the political characters such as, the colorful character that is, Idrissa Seck who Sall have had clashes with,” the statement said.

    From a child of Fouta of modest beginnings, to a man of the world, who refused to let “The nauseating remarks of [Abdoulaye] Wade” calling him a descendant of slaves and coming from a family of cannibals not define him; after Wade, the former President who mentored and guided Sall became furious at Sall for daring to run for the presidency. Sall refused to bow his head low in his pursuit of a brighter tomorrow.

    Wade’s unformed statements were the last act of revenge meant to push in the blowing dagger into Sall’s heart for his supposed betrayal. Sall touches deeply about his family ancestry, stating that it is rooted in Toro and Ngénar. “They know that I come from a line of famous and prestigious warrior nobles,” he says.

    Sall delivers a tone of perseverance despite adversity and failure in ‘Le Senegal au Coeur.’ His journey is akin to the theme of a hero’s journey “a broad category of tales that involve a hero who goes on an adventure, and in a decisive crisis wins a victory, and then comes home changed or transformed.” It teaches the future generation the importance of failure as something to learn from is important on the journey to success. But above all, it teaches us all the importance of a dignified life.

    Sall dedicates his book to his parents, children and his adored wife, Marème Faye Sall. He pays many tributes to his beloved Marème and touches on her endless sacrifices made, in order for him to pursue his career. It speaks to the importance of choosing a partner that supports ones during the good and bad times.

  • Nigeria’s economy looking good – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Abuja said that his administration will continue to implement policies that will make Nigeria’s economy, which is already looking good, better.

    He made the remark during an audience with Mr Jesper Kamp, the new Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark to Nigeria.

    President Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, said Nigeria welcomes further strengthening of relations with the country, especially in the areas of agriculture and trade.

    He told the Danish Ambassador he was pleased that relations between Nigeria and Denmark have remained strong; noting that in the economic sphere there is still some more work to do.

    ‘‘The Nigerian economy is looking good and we look forward to making it better,’’ the President told the Danish Ambassador after receiving his Letter of Credence.

    President Buhari who also received Letters of Credence from Major General (Rtd.) Waqar Kingravi, the new High Commissioner of Pakistan to Nigeria, Mr Babacar Ndiaye, the new Ambassador of Senegal to Nigeria and Mr Vyacheslav Beskosky, the new Ambassador of Belarus to Nigeria, told them that Nigeria valued the existing cordial and friendly relations with their countries.

    He described the long-standing military cooperation between Nigeria and Pakistan as very commendable and beneficial to both countries.

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    ‘‘Given the vast experience of the Pakistani military, your commitment in assisting us to develop our military is commendable,’’ he told the Pakistani High Commissioner:

    The Nigerian leader recounted that as a former military officer, several of his colleagues who trained in Pakistan still have very fond memories of the country.

    Receiving the Senegalese Ambassador, President Buhari commended President Macky Sall of Senegal for his roles in the progress achieved in the political process in Guinea Bissau.

    Noting that he was aware of the economic progress taking place in Senegal, President Buhari stressed the need for stability in the West African region to ensure rapid socio-economic development, particularly in the key areas of education, health and infrastructure.

    ‘‘The bigger we are the bigger the problems, so we must continue to do our best to surmount our challenges in the region,’’ President Buhari, who is also the current Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of States and Government, told the Senegalese envoy.

    In his audience with the Belarus Ambassador, President Buhari harped on the need for improved economic ties, while commending the Eastern European country for accommodating international students from Nigeria in their tertiary institutions.

    The President wished the four Ambassadors very successful tenures, reiterating Nigeria’s commitment to continue to partner with their countries in areas of mutual concerns.

  • Senegal’s president hails Buhari on Gambia

    Senegal’s president hails Buhari on Gambia

    President Macky Sall of Senegal has thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his intervention in The Gambian impasse.

    President Buhari and other West Africa leaders’ intervention led to the restoration of democracy in Gambia.

    Former President Yahya Jammeh had baulked at handing over power to Adama Barrow, winner of the December 1, 2016 presidential election in the West African nation.

    But ECOWAS leaders led President Buhari, insisted Jammeh must quit at the expiration of his term in January. He did, rather involuntarily.

    In a communication with the Nigerian leader, Macky Sall, according to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Femi Adesina, said: “Thank you again for your support in The Gambia. May Almighty Allah give you greater health and energy to conduct the destiny of Nigeria.”

    The Senegalese president described himself as President Buhari’s “younger brother,” and prayed that Allah would bestow good health and wisdom on the Nigerian leader.

     

  • Buhari, three other leaders meet over Gambia

    Buhari, three other leaders meet over Gambia

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday met behind closed-door with three West African leaders in Abuja.

    The meeting is in continuation of discussion on the crisis brewing in The Gambia.

    Among the heads of state at the meeting are the President of Senegal, Macky Sall; President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and ex-President of Ghana, John Mahama.

    But the Vice President of Sierra-Leone was yet to arrive when the meeting started.

    The meeting was still in progress at the new Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, at the time of filing this report.

  • Senegal’s president will stick to seven-year mandate

    Senegal’s President Macky Sall said on Tuesday he will complete a seven-year mandate that runs until 2019, ditching a promise made during his election campaign to cut the term to five years.

    Senegal is viewed as a bulwark of democracy in Africa, and that pledge would have brought it into line with former colonial power France at a time when several other leaders across the continent have sought to extend their rule, Reuters reported.

    Such actions have often triggered unrest, most recently in Burundi, where President Pierre Nkurunziza’s decision to seek a third term has triggered months of violence, killing over 400 people.

    “The mandate currently under way will be completed in 2019,” Reuters quoted Sall as saying in a statement in French on state television that followed a recommendation by the country’s constitutional council.

    He had told voters in the West African country in 2012 that he would shorten his current term by changing the constitution.

    While the U-turn is not expected to destabilise the country, it could prove politically costly for Sall, who is widely expected to seek a second term.

    “The mid-term risk is that he is seen as back-peddling on his promises and (voters) could punish him in legislative elections next year,” a Western diplomatic source told Reuters.

    Sall said he will hold a March referendum on a package of constitutional changes, including the shorter mandate, although they will only take effect after the current term.

  • Senegal president seeks shorter terms

    Senegal’s President Macky Sall has proposed to cut his own term in office by two years.

    Changing the president’s mandate from seven to five years is part of several proposals for constitutional reforms which are to be put to a referendum, the BBC reports.

    The president’s office said they are aiming to strengthen democracy.

    Several African presidents have recently done the opposite – changing constitutions to extend their time in power.

    The new constitution would not allow a president to run for more than two consecutive terms in office.

    The BBC says after reducing his term in office, Mr. Sall is then expected to put himself forward for re-election in 2017 instead of 2019.

    Other suggested amendments to the constitution include an upper age limit of 75 years.

    The date of the referendum is yet to be announced.

    Mr. Sall, 54, was elected in 2012, defeating the incumbent Abdoulaye Wade, who had controversially sought a third term in office.