BOLA Tinubu, Nigeria’s president and chair of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), hailed the recent elections in Senegal and Liberia as a testament to the resilience of democracy in West Africa. In a statement released late Wednesday, Tinubu underscored the pivotal role of these elections in fortifying democratic principles across the subregion.
‘The success of the presidential election in Senegal and successful conduct of the general election in Liberia a few months ago have affirmed long-held conviction that the taproot of democracy is deeply established in West Africa and will only grow stronger,’ stated Tinubu.
Tinubu emphasised the need for political actors and leaders to uphold democratic values through good governance, justice, and fairness, highlighting the critical importance of nurturing democracy in West African countries.
The peaceful conduct of Senegal’s presidential election garnered particular praise from Tinubu, who noted its significance in advancing ECOWAS’s agenda for promoting peace and stability within the subregional bloc’s 15 member countries.
Tinubu commended Senegal’s President-elect Bassirou Diomaye Faye and outgoing President Macky Sall for their dedication to ensuring a peaceful electoral process despite initial challenges. The postponement of Senegal’s presidential election, initially scheduled for February 25, sparked protests across the coastal nation. President Sall attributed the delay to alleged disagreements over the list of cleared presidential candidates, a move perceived by many Senegalese as potentially favouring the candidate of his coalition, Benno Bokk Yakaar (BBY), who also serves as the prime minister.
Senegal, known as one of Africa’s longest-standing democracies, has maintained political stability for decades, further underscoring the significance of its recent electoral process.
Liberia, having held its presidential poll in November 2023, also played a vital role in bolstering democratic ideals in the region. The successful conclusion of both Senegal and Liberia’s elections serves as a beacon of hope for democracy in West Africa, fostering stability and progress across the continent.