Election postponement of Senegal is followed by protests

Protests and police clash in Dakar, Senegal, following President Macky Sall’s indefinite postponement of the presidential election

Protests and police clashed on Sunday in Dakar, Senegal, following President Macky Sall’s announcement of an indefinite postponement of the presidential election. The election had been set for Feb. 25, but Sall has not announced a new date, sparking criticism from opposition leaders and international concern. Sall said he was intervening due to a dispute between the National Assembly and the Constitutional Court over the rejection of candidates. Lawmakers are investigating two Constitutional Council judges whose integrity in the election process has been questioned. Sall promised to ensure “a free, transparent and inclusive election”, but did not set a new date for the vote.

Hundreds of people took to the streets on Sunday, answering the call of some opposition leaders. Police responded with tear gas and pursued the fleeing protesters through adjoining streets, while some demonstrators responded by throwing rocks. Youths shouting “Macky Sall, dictator!” set up makeshift barricades and burned tyres in the streets.

Former prime minister Aminata Toure, now a leading opposition figure, was arrested while arriving at one protest. She denounced Sall’s decision to postpone the election as an “unprecedented democratic regression.” Another presidential candidate, Daouda Ndiaye, posted on social media to say he had been beaten by the security forces.

Later, the communications ministry ordered private broadcaster Walf TV off air, saying its coverage of the protests amounted to “incitement to violence”. Walf announced on social media that its license had been withdrawn. Opposition leaders and presidential candidates have lined up to denounce Sall’s decision. Habib Sy, one of the 20 candidates, said opposition parties had agreed to launch their election campaigns together despite the official postponement.

The United States, the European Union, and former colonial ruler France led appeals for the vote to be rescheduled at the earliest date. The EU called for a prompt, transparent, inclusive, and credible election, while France’s foreign ministry urged authorities to end the uncertainty so the vote can be held as soon as possible. The US State Department called on Senegal to set a date for a “timely, free and fair election.”

Source: AFP