Senegal’s Political Crisis Deepens as Talks Fail

Senegal is facing a political crisis as the opposition parties have rejected an offer of dialogue from President Macky Sall, who has postponed the presidential election indefinitely.
The election was originally scheduled for February 25, 2024, but Sall announced on February 3 that he would not seek a third term and that the vote would be delayed for unspecified reasons. He also dissolved the government and appointed a new prime minister, Amadou Ba, who is widely seen as his successor.
The opposition parties, led by former prime minister Idrissa Seck and former mayor of Dakar Khalifa Sall, have accused the president of violating the constitution and trying to extend his rule. They have also denounced the arrest and conviction of Ousmane Sonko, a popular opposition leader who was sentenced to two years in prison for “immoral behavior” in a controversial case.
The political tension has sparked protests and clashes between security forces and demonstrators in several cities, including the capital Dakar. Human rights groups have reported cases of excessive use of force, arbitrary arrests, and censorship of the media and social media. The UN, the African Union, and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have called for calm and dialogue.
On February 22, President Sall invited the opposition parties to a meeting to discuss the electoral calendar and the political situation. However, the opposition coalition, known as the Movement for the Defense of Democracy (M2D), rejected the invitation and demanded the release of Sonko and other political prisoners, the restoration of the constitutional order, and the respect for human rights.
The opposition also announced a new wave of protests starting from February 23, and called on the Senegalese people to join them in demanding democratic change. They said they would not accept any dialogue that does not address the root causes of the crisis and the aspirations of the people.
Senegal is widely regarded as one of the most stable and democratic countries in West Africa, but the current crisis has exposed the fragility of its institutions and the discontent of its population. Many Senegalese are frustrated by the lack of economic opportunities, social justice, and political participation.
Despite the uncertainty and the violence, some analysts and civil society activists have expressed hope that Senegal can overcome the crisis and preserve its democratic legacy. They have urged the political actors to engage in a genuine and inclusive dialogue that respects the rule of law and the will of the people.

Source: Reuters