A “very large” European Union observer delegation is headed for Senegal to monitor the country’s tightly-contested February election, a diplomat has said. Local radio quoted France’s ambassador to Senegal Nicolas Normand as saying that the size of the delegation was a reflection of the political risk seen ahead of the west African country’s February 26 election. “The delegation is very large because there is ‘high risk’ on the political landscape ahead of the polls,” said Mr Normand.
Senegal has been for decades been regarded as a model of democracy in the region and it would be the first time that such a large EU delegation would be posted to the country, he said.
“Such a delegation is not sent to any country where there is no risk,” Mr Normand said. The diplomat was speaking on Radio Futur Media, Senegal’s most popular independent radio station and which is owned by popular musician Youssou N’Dour.
Full Article: Africa Review – Large EU observer mission heads to Senegal as violence fears grow.