EDISenegal plunged into turmoil once again as the government cut mobile internet access on Tuesday, amplifying concerns about a widening crackdown on dissent amid mounting opposition to the postponement of the presidential election. The abrupt delay of the Feb. 25 vote to December has sparked protests and clashes across the country, igniting fears of prolonged unrest in one of West Africa’s traditionally stable democracies.
The decision to postpone the election, widely perceived as an attempt to extend President Macky Sall’s mandate, has triggered outrage and accusations of an “institutional coup” by opposition lawmakers and civil society groups. Amid escalating tensions, the Senegalese government banned a planned silent march against the postponement and ordered mobile operators to suspend internet access, citing the dissemination of “hateful and subversive” online messages that purportedly fueled previous unrest.
Rights groups, including the U.N. human rights office and Amnesty International, condemned the government’s actions, labeling them as violations of fundamental rights to freedom of assembly and expression. They accused the authorities of using excessive force against protesters, resulting in three deaths and hundreds of detentions during the recent demonstrations in Dakar and other cities.
The suspension of mobile internet access drew criticism from both domestic and international quarters, with concerns raised about the erosion of democratic freedoms and human rights. The move underscores a growing trend of mass censorship in Senegal, signaling a troubling trajectory for the country’s democratic credentials.
In response to the government’s crackdown, organizers of the banned march rescheduled the event for Saturday, calling on citizens nationwide to participate. The standoff between the government and opposition groups has heightened fears of prolonged instability and unrest, posing a significant challenge to Senegal’s reputation as a bastion of democracy in a region plagued by political upheaval.
The international community has also weighed in on the crisis, with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressing concern and urging Senegal to uphold its democratic principles. The United States reiterated its support for holding elections as scheduled and emphasized the need for a swift resolution to the political impasse.
Similarly, France called for the expeditious organization of a new presidential election and urged Senegal to exercise restraint in dealing with protests. The diplomatic mission from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has been in Senegal to address the situation, recommending urgent national dialogue to defuse tensions and uphold transparency in the electoral process. As Senegal grapples with the fallout from the postponed election and the ensuing unrest, the government faces mounting pressure to uphold democratic norms and respect the rights of its citizens.
