Senegal’s President Macky Sall has denied delaying the country’s elections, which sparked deadly protests.

He made his point known during a monitored broadcast.

He said the decision was made in response to concerns raised by parliamentarians, and that the delay was needed to resolve a dispute over the eligibility of presidential candidates.

Sall argued that the delay was necessary to protect Senegal’s reputation as a bastion of democracy in an unstable region.

Sall has served two terms in office, the maximum allowed by Senegal’s constitution