Several hundred Senegalese citizens took to the streets of Dakar this past Saturday, voicing their demand for the country’s delayed presidential elections to be conducted before April 2, the date marking the end of incumbent President Macky Sall’s current term. This rally, convened in a modest, sandy expanse within a bustling working-class neighborhood, was orchestrated by the “Resistance Front,” a coalition of opposition parties and activist organizations, underscoring the growing discontent among the populace.
The air was charged with a mix of defiance and hope as protesters, many waving the national flag and carrying portraits of jailed opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, echoed chants of “Macky Sall dictator” and “Free Sonko,” alongside songs of praise for the embattled politician. Sonko, who has been imprisoned since July on charges of “incitement to insurrection” and thus disqualified from participating in the upcoming presidential vote, has thrown his support behind Bassirou Diomaye Faye. Faye, despite also being incarcerated, has been deemed eligible to appear on the ballot, adding layers of complexity and controversy to the electoral saga.
The gathering was not just a platform for public outcry but also served as a stage for various electoral candidates’ representatives, including former Prime Minister Aminata Toure of the “Bassirou President” coalition, to articulate their demands and visions for Senegal’s future. The collective call was clear: for President Macky Sall to ensure the elections occur before his term expires, facilitating a smooth and transparent transition of power.
This wave of protests was triggered by President Sall’s announcement on February 3, postponing the originally scheduled February 25 presidential elections, a move that opposition factions have vehemently criticized as a “constitutional coup d’état.” The political unrest that ensued has already claimed four lives, signaling the high stakes and deep divisions framing this electoral impasse.
Despite the Constitutional Council’s intervention on February 15, which effectively overturned President Sall’s decision, the nation remains in a state of anticipation, awaiting a confirmed date for the elections. Demonstrators, including 27-year-old trader Assane Camara, expressed a fervent desire for the elections to proceed with the 19 candidates endorsed by the Constitutional Council, aspiring for a continuation of Senegal’s democratic legacy.
In an attempt to navigate these turbulent waters, President Sall initiated a national dialogue at the week’s start, aiming to forge consensus on the electoral timeline. However, this effort was marred by the opposition’s boycott, casting further doubt on the feasibility of reaching a unified resolution. The dialogue’s recommendation to delay the election until June 2 was met with skepticism, prompting President Sall to seek the Constitutional Council’s guidance on this proposed postponement.
The rally concluded amidst confusion and scuffles, reportedly arising from tensions between the factions supporting Sonko and those backing Khalifa Sall, the former mayor of Dakar (who shares no familial relation to the president). This altercation underscored the deep-rooted rivalries and competing interests that characterize Senegal’s current political sector.
