A Student was killed in Senegal political protests which started over the delay of a presidential election, according to AFP citing university, and hospital sources.
Parliament in Senegal has voted to postpone the presidential election, which was originally scheduled for February 25, to December. This decision has raised concerns about the future of democracy in the country. In response to the delay, protesters in the capital city of Dakar clashed with police, who used tear gas, stun grenades, and rubber bullets. Demonstrators burned tires and threw stones, with some calling President Macky Sall a dictator. Similar protests also took place in the cities of Touba and Mbacke.
The unrest following the postponement has deepened fears of prolonged instability in Senegal. President Sall, who has already served two terms, cited a dispute over the candidate list as the reason for the delay, claiming it could undermine the credibility of the electoral process. However, critics argue that he is attempting to hold onto power. The West African bloc and foreign powers have criticized the decision, viewing it as a departure from Senegal’s democratic tradition.
Justice Minister Aissata Tall Sall acknowledged the crisis and called for calm, stating that the postponement was not solely the president’s decision but was approved by parliament. She also emphasized that the Constitutional Court did not have the jurisdiction to handle the legal challenges filed against the decision.
The United States Embassy in Dakar expressed support for the earlier call by the regional bloc ECOWAS to align the electoral calendar with the constitution. The embassy highlighted that various Senegalese political and civil society actors shared this view.
The bill to postpone the election was passed by a majority of legislators, despite attempts by opposition members to block the vote. Opposition coalition Yewwi Askan Wi and several opposition presidential candidates have filed legal challenges with the Constitutional Court. However, Justice Minister Tall Sall stated that the court was not the appropriate body to handle these challenges.
The situation in Senegal remains tense, with concerns about the country’s democratic future. The postponement of the presidential election has sparked widespread protests and criticism from both domestic and international actors. As the legal challenges unfold, the stability and credibility of Senegal’s democratic processes will be closely watched.
(With inputs rom agencies)
Parliament in Senegal has voted to postpone the presidential election, which was originally scheduled for February 25, to December. This decision has raised concerns about the future of democracy in the country. In response to the delay, protesters in the capital city of Dakar clashed with police, who used tear gas, stun grenades, and rubber bullets. Demonstrators burned tires and threw stones, with some calling President Macky Sall a dictator. Similar protests also took place in the cities of Touba and Mbacke.
The unrest following the postponement has deepened fears of prolonged instability in Senegal. President Sall, who has already served two terms, cited a dispute over the candidate list as the reason for the delay, claiming it could undermine the credibility of the electoral process. However, critics argue that he is attempting to hold onto power. The West African bloc and foreign powers have criticized the decision, viewing it as a departure from Senegal’s democratic tradition.
Justice Minister Aissata Tall Sall acknowledged the crisis and called for calm, stating that the postponement was not solely the president’s decision but was approved by parliament. She also emphasized that the Constitutional Court did not have the jurisdiction to handle the legal challenges filed against the decision.
The United States Embassy in Dakar expressed support for the earlier call by the regional bloc ECOWAS to align the electoral calendar with the constitution. The embassy highlighted that various Senegalese political and civil society actors shared this view.
The bill to postpone the election was passed by a majority of legislators, despite attempts by opposition members to block the vote. Opposition coalition Yewwi Askan Wi and several opposition presidential candidates have filed legal challenges with the Constitutional Court. However, Justice Minister Tall Sall stated that the court was not the appropriate body to handle these challenges.
The situation in Senegal remains tense, with concerns about the country’s democratic future. The postponement of the presidential election has sparked widespread protests and criticism from both domestic and international actors. As the legal challenges unfold, the stability and credibility of Senegal’s democratic processes will be closely watched.
(With inputs rom agencies)