Senegal has experienced widespread unrest due to the delay of a presidential election, which many believe will lead to prolonged instability. In Dakar, police in riot gear fired teargas and rubber bullets as protesters burned tires and threw stones. One student was reportedly killed in Saint-Louis, according to opposition leader Khalifa Sall. This move has led to concerns that the country’s democracy could be under threat.
Parliament voted to push the election, which was scheduled for February 25, to December, sparking demonstrations in cities such as Touba, Thies, Richard Toll, and Kolda. President Macky Sall claims the postponement is due to a dispute over the candidate list that threatened the election’s credibility and not an attempt to hold onto power.
Many have criticized the move, with some labeling President Sall as a dictator, while others argue that it goes against Senegal’s democratic tradition. The United States embassy in Dakar voiced its support for an earlier call from Ecowas for authorities to restore the electoral calendar in line with the constitution, while Senegalese justice minister Aissata Tall Sall urged for calm amid the unrest.
The postponement bill was passed by the majority in the assembly, with opposition members attempting to block the vote and protests being quelled by security forces. Thirty-nine opposition lawmakers and presidential candidates have since filed legal challenges to the constitutional court, as opponents turn to the courts to address their concerns. Tall Sall maintained that the postponement was in line with the constitution, though it remains unclear where the legal challenges will be addressed.
Despite the ongoing turmoil, she insisted that the country is in a functioning democracy. Nonetheless, the protests and clashes have prompted worries about the future political stability of Senegal. The postponement has raised concerns about democratic backsliding and a potential shift towards authoritarianism in Senegal, which has traditionally been known for its relatively stable democracy in West Africa.
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