Leader of Senegal claims that a third term is legal

The president of Senegal has denied accusations that his bid for a contentious third mandate would be unconstitutional.

The remarks made by Macky Sall in an interview with the French publication L’Express are likely to exacerbate the heated political environment.

Senegal’s constitution was changed in 2016 to reduce the length of the presidential term from seven to five years.

The opposition claims that this plainly bans Mr. Sall from standing in the elections held the following year because it specifies that no one may serve more than two terms in a row.

Opposition lawmaker Ousmane Sonko is allegedly being marginalized by Mr. Sall’s government, according to critics of the president.

Two judicial disputes Mr. Sonko is currently involved in potentially jeopardize his eligibility for the election.