Violent protests follow decision to postpone presidential elections… What is going on in Senegal?

Violent protests follow decision to postpone presidential elections… What is going on in Senegal?

The Senegalese capital Dakar and the rest of the cities in the interior states are experiencing a state of political tension since President Macky Sall announced the postponement of the presidential elections that were scheduled to take place on the 25th of this month until December of next year.

This decision paved the way for the Senegalese president, who was expected to end his term in early April, to remain in office until his successor is sworn in, most likely in 2025, which raised the fears of some observers that it would lead to a political crisis similar to the one the country witnessed three years ago.

Causes of the crisis

The crisis erupted at the beginning of this week, after the controversial decision that was unanimously supported by the members of the National Assembly in Senegal, which resulted in postponing the presidential elections until next December.

Senegalese security forces stormed the parliament building and forcibly expelled some of the opposing deputies, which means they were unable to vote.

The Senegalese opposition accused the government of “kidnapping” the country and denounced the step as a “coup against the constitution”.

President Macky Sall justified the postponement decision by the dispute over the list of candidates and the suspicions of corruption in the constitutional body responsible for the list of candidates.

Reaction of the Senegalese street

Many residents of Dakar took to the streets to protest the decision, describing it as unjust, and demanded President Macky Sall to back down from it, considering that this step is nothing but an opportunity to prepare for a transitional period and choose a suitable heir.

The authorities cut off the internet from smartphones in Dakar on Monday, justifying it by the spread of “messages inciting hatred and destruction” on social media, before restoring the service on Wednesday morning.

The Senegalese opposition parties criticized the step taken by President Sall, describing it as a coup against the political legitimacy in the country.

The opposition parties called on their supporters to take to the street and demonstrate to express their rejection of the decision, and demanded the international community to stand by the Senegalese people and intervene to pressure for holding the elections on time.

#International community calls on Senegal to set a new date for elections

The US State Department expressed its displeasure with the decision to postpone the presidential elections in Senegal until December, saying it “violates legitimacy”, which ignited a severe crisis in the West African state that usually witnesses stability for decades.

The US reaction, which was issued on Tuesday, is the most important statement from one of the most prominent international allies of Senegal, after the decision to postpone the elections scheduled for February 25 raised internal and external concern.

The US State Department also called on the Senegalese government to respect the freedom of assembly and peaceful expression, including for media workers.

France, Germany and other European countries, as well as some member states of the Economic Community of West African States “ECOWAS” criticized the decision to postpone the presidential elections".

ECOWAS urged politicians in Senegal to take urgent steps to re-establish a timetable for the elections that is consistent with the constitution.

ECOWAS said in a statement that it is following the situation with concern, and called on politicians and citizens to contribute to enhancing peace.

Senegal is considered a democratic model to be emulated in Africa, and has not witnessed a coup since it gained its independence from France in 1960. But experts in African affairs consider that the postponement decision taken by Macky Sall could lead to increased tension and unrest, threatening the country’s stability.