Senegal must hold elections after all, the Supreme Court rules

Senegal's constitutional court ruled on Thursday that national elections postponed by the president should take place as soon as possible, once again throwing the West African country's political future into doubt.

The court, the country's highest, said that while it is now impossible to hold elections within 10 days – the vote was initially scheduled for February 25 – the vote should take place as soon as possible.

Just two weeks ago, President Macky Sall issued a decree postpone voting indefinitely, pending an investigation into allegations of corruption at the Constitutional Court. Just a few days later, off the land Parliament decided to postpone the vote by almost ten monthssetting December 15 as the date.

As the highest judicial authority in the country, the Constitutional Court has the final decision in this case, and to adhere to the ruling, Mr Sall must now allow political campaigns to begin, organize the upcoming elections and resign before April 2. his term is coming to an end.

It was not yet clear Thursday evening what the president's next step would be in response to the ruling.