Africans Rising for Unity, Justice, Peace and Dignity has welcomed the announcement by Senegalese President Macky Sall not to run for a third term.

Africans Rising, a global Pan-African movement of people and organisations working for Unity, Justice, Peace and Dignity on the African continent, said Sall’s decision not to run for a third term is key to bringing peace in the West African country.

The group in a statement on Wednesday said: “While we commend the President for respecting the constitution on a two-term limit, we believe his announcement should have come much earlier as it would have avoided the needless violence and loss of life. Nonetheless, this will go a long way to restore peace and tranquility.”

They also asked that: “As a further step, President Sall should proceed and unconditionally release all those arbitrarily arrested and detained for protesting and exercising their right to freedom of assembly – (political prisoners, activists, journalists, women and children).

“We also urge the Regional bodies such as ECOWAS to keep an eye on the peace process and continue with constructive engagement with all sectors of society to maintain peace and stability. Africans Rising is committed and available to support in this respect.”

The group recalled that Senegal has been considered one of the most politically stable countries in West Africa until the recent deadly clashes that have hit the country, lamenting that: “The violent protests linked to President Macky Sall’s silence and refusal to clear the air regarding initial concerns that he might be seeking a third term in the 2024 presidential elections erupted across the country leading to several deaths and injuries of protesters.

“During these protests, the security forces had arbitrarily arrested and detained protesters and those holding dissenting views, continued to apply excessive force on civilians, restricted social media and internet use among other measures.”