Senegalese President Sall’s opposition rivals reject talks

Senegalese opposition presidential candidates on Friday rejected an invitation to join talks that President Macky Sall says are necessary before a delayed presidential election can be scheduled. On Thursday, Sall promised to step down when his mandate ends on April 2, but said he could not yet set a new date for an election despite pressure to end a three-week electoral crisis that has fuelled unrest and fears of democratic backsliding. He said political parties and civil society first needed to take part in talks scheduled for Monday, a day after the presidential vote was originally meant to be held.