As Senegal grapples with a political crisis sparked by President Macky Sall’s decision to postpone the presidential election scheduled for February 25, civil society and opposition groups are amplifying their efforts to voice dissent.
The move by Sall has led to a tumultuous situation, resulting in three casualties amid clashes between protesters and law enforcement.
The “Aar Sunu Election” (Let’s protect our election) collective, comprising around 40 civil, religious, and professional organizations, has mobilized a rally scheduled for Tuesday in Dakar at 1500 GMT.
The protests, largely characterized by confrontations between youth demonstrators and security forces, pose a threat to Senegal’s reputation as a stable haven in West Africa, especially at a time when the region is grappling with coups and unrest.
International entities, including the United States and the European Union, have called on the Senegalese government to revert to the original election timetable.
Meanwhile, organizers of Tuesday’s march are awaiting official confirmation from authorities regarding whether the gathering will be prohibited.
President Sall, in office since 2012, is now navigating a path out of the crisis. Speculation surrounds the potential initiation of a dialogue with the opposition, including firebrand figure Ousmane Sonko, who faced a prolonged legal battle before being imprisoned last year.
Reports also suggest the consideration of amnesty for Sonko, his incarcerated deputy Bassirou Diomaye Faye, and individuals detained during the unrest in 2021 and 2023. However, the government has remained silent on these reports.
In a controversial move, Parliament supported Sall’s decision to suspend the election until December 15, following the storming of the parliament by security forces and the detention of some opposition deputies.
This decision effectively extends Sall’s term beyond the originally stipulated April expiration, allowing him to remain in office until his successor is installed, likely in 2025.
Senegal’s opposition condemns this move as a “constitutional coup,” suspecting a hidden agenda within the presidential camp to prolong Sall’s tenure, despite his public assurance of not seeking reelection.
