Statement by the Press Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan on the situation in Senegal before the Presidential Election

TOKYO, Japan, February 3, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- On Friday, January 27, the Senegalese constitutional court had announced the list of validated candidates for the country's upcoming presidential election, and it was confirmed on January 29. The list included the name of H.E. Mr. Abdoulaye Wade, incumbent President of the Republic of Senegal. Protests against that decision continue among a group of opposition parties, and clashes with security forces have resulted in casualties.

Japan is paying close attention to the situation related to the election in Senegal, a country upholding the tradition of democracy. Japan urges both sides, the ruling and opposition parties, to seek responsible actions showing restraint under constitutional order. At the same time, Japan expects that the series of electoral processes in Senegal will be carried out in a peaceful and democratic manner, with transparency and fairness.