The African Union (AU) expressed satisfaction with the peaceful resolution of the crisis in Senegal and is ready to send an observer mission to the West African country's upcoming presidential elections in March, AU Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat said in a statement released on Friday.
"The President of the African Union Commission, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, welcomes the peaceful resolution of the institutional crisis in Senegal. He welcomes the decision of President Macky Sall to organize the elections on March 24, 2024, before the end of his mandate on April 2, 2024," the statement reads.
The chairman also said that the "wise" decision reflected the "roots and resilience of Senegal's democracy, of which Africa has always been proud."
Furthermore, Faki also called on all political forces and civil society to initiate a transparent, peaceful and legitimate electoral process, adding that the AU will send its observer mission to the elections.
Senegal's Constitutional Council, the highest body overseeing the country's electoral process, on Thursday approved March 24 as the date for holding presidential elections. On March 6, the council declared Sall's proposal to hold elections on June 2 unconstitutional, since his term expires on April 2.
19 candidates approved by the constitutional council will take part in the elections. Sall has previously said he will not seek re-election.
Presidential elections in Senegal are held in two rounds, if in the first none of the candidates received 50% plus one vote.
In early February, the leader of the West African nation revoked a decree to convene an electoral council on February 25, meaning that presidential elections will not be held on that date. The decision to postpone the presidential election led to widespread protests in Senegal.