Senegal’s president drops campaign vow, sticks to seven-year term

Senegal’s President Macky Sall said 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. “The mandate currently under way will be completed in 2019,” Sall said in a statement in French on state television that followed a recommendation by […]

Senegal’s President Macky Sall said 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.
“The mandate currently under way will be completed in 2019,” Sall said 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 that he would shorten his current term by changing the constitution.
While the U-turn is not expected to destabilize the country, it could prove politically costly for Sall, who is widely expected to seek a second term.
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.