Senegal’s decision to postpone its presidential election until December has triggered a wave of anger and demonstrations across the country. Many accuse President Macky Sall of trying to extend his term and undermine democracy in the West African nation.
The election was originally scheduled for Feb. 25, but Sall announced the delay on Saturday, citing a dispute over the candidate list and alleged corruption within the constitutional body that handled the list. He said he wanted to ensure a fair and transparent vote.
But the opposition and civil society groups rejected his explanation and called it an “institutional coup”. They said Sall was afraid of losing power and wanted to avoid a possible runoff. They also questioned the legitimacy of the parliament, which approved the postponement bill on Monday with 105 votes in favor and 60 against.
The bill also changed the election date from Aug. 25, as initially proposed, to Dec. 15, a move that further infuriated the protesters. They said Sall was trying to buy more time and manipulate the electoral process.
Clashes and crackdowns
Since Sunday, thousands of people have taken to the streets in the capital Dakar and other cities, chanting slogans against Sall and demanding the respect of the constitutional order. They clashed with riot police, who fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse them. Several people were injured and arrested.
The authorities also restricted mobile internet access, citing hate messages on social media and threats to public order. A private television channel, Walf, said it was taken off air and had its license revoked.
Some schools and businesses closed early, fearing more violence. The U.S. embassy in Dakar advised its citizens to avoid large gatherings and monitor local media.
The protests have been the most serious since 2012, when former President Abdoulaye Wade tried to run for a third term and sparked a popular uprising that helped Sall win the election.
International concern
The election delay has also raised concern among Senegal’s regional and international partners, who have praised the country as a model of democracy and stability in a turbulent region.
The African Union and the United States urged Sall to set a new election date as soon as possible and to respect the will of the people. They also called for dialogue and restraint from all sides.
The European Union, which has been supporting Senegal’s electoral process with technical and financial assistance, said it was “deeply concerned” by the postponement and the violence. It urged Sall to “ensure the credibility and transparency of the electoral process and to guarantee the respect of the constitutional order and the rule of law”.
The ratings agency Moody’s warned that any lengthy delay to the election could hamper the country’s economic growth and fiscal consolidation, as well as its planned reforms in the energy sector.
A test for democracy
Senegal, a former French colony of about 16 million people, is one of Africa’s oldest and most stable democracies. It has never experienced a coup d’etat and has had four peaceful transfers of power since independence in 1960.
But the postponement of the election has put its democratic credentials to the test and exposed the fragility of its institutions and political system.
The opposition has vowed to continue the protests until Sall reverses his decision and restores the original election date. They have also called for a boycott of the referendum on constitutional reforms that Sall plans to hold on March 20.
Sall, who is not standing in the vote and has reached the constitutional limit of two terms in power, has defended his move as a way to preserve peace and stability. He has also appealed for calm and dialogue, saying he is open to consultations with all political actors.
But as the tension mounts and the trust erodes, many fear that Senegal’s democracy may be at risk of sliding into chaos and violence.
Source: Reuters
