Senegal began voting for a new president in an unpredictable race following months of delays, uncertainty, and unrest. France 24 reporter Peter O'Brien breaks down what's at stake for the country 's voting populace.

Dakar

Senegal has commenced voting for a new president in a race characterized by uncertainties, delays, and unrest. The electoral process, described as unpredictable, follows a period of heightened tension among the country's voting populace. France 24 reporter Peter O'Brien provides insights into the key issues and stakes involved in this electoral process for Senegal.



What's at stake in Senegal's general election

Voters queue up in Dakar, hoping to turn their country's fortunes around. We're hoping that everything gets sorted out, and that things go well for Senegal, and that God gives us a good president who will run Senegal well and put people back to work. One issue that's high on the menu is fish. Not only is it used in Thieboudienne, the national dish, but the fishing economy employs a fifth of Senegal. The carpenter, or the fishmonger, or the women who sell the fish, or the coffee seller, the gas station attendant, the ice factory, they all depend on the fishermen. Catches have halved in the past two decades, with many Senegalese blaming overfishing by foreign companies. It's one of the factors leaving the economy in a bad state, with food and energy prices driven higher by the war in Ukraine and widespread unemployment. Seeking better fortunes, tens of thousands have embarked on life-threatening journeys up the west coast of Africa towards the Canary Islands. Just as fragile as the economy is Senegal's democracy, which was considered one of West Africa's most stable. Months of unrest culminated in an unsuccessful attempt by President Macky Sall to postpone the election. Among a wave of coup d'etats in the region in recent years, Senegal has so far avoided a similar fate. There are 17 candidates and the race is wide open. A run-off round is likely and the people of Senegal expect whoever wins to boost the economy with recently discovered oil and gas reserves and steady the ship of democracy.

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Rafah

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Council of the City of Sydney

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Doha

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