Crisis unfolds as Senegal's election delay sparks international criticism

Senegal’s decision to postpone its presidential elections until December has drawn sharp criticism from both the European Union and the United States, challenging the nation’s long-standing democratic reputation.

The EU insists that the delay “taints the long tradition of democracy” and calls for an urgent reversal, echoing concerns raised by the US State Department, which deems the postponement as illegitimate.

The controversy erupted when Senegalese lawmakers voted overwhelmingly on Monday night to push back the scheduled February 25 poll, a decision made amid chaotic scenes as security forces forcibly removed opposition deputies from the chamber.

The move has triggered widespread concern, both domestically and internationally, as Senegal is typically seen as a bastion of stability in the volatile West African region.

Nabila Massrali, spokesperson for the European Commission, expressed deep concern about the postponement, urging a swift restoration of an “electoral calendar conforming to the constitution.”

The EU suggests that if the new schedule is confirmed, the mandate of its electoral observation mission to Senegal should be reviewed.

The United States, through State Department spokesman Matthew Miller, expressed similar apprehension, emphasizing that the delay contradicts Senegal’s strong democratic tradition. Miller expressed alarm over reports of security forces forcibly removing parliamentarians who opposed the bill, leading to a National Assembly vote deemed illegitimate under such conditions.

The contentious vote allows President Macky Sall to extend his term until his successor is installed, likely in 2025. Opposition members characterize the situation as a “constitutional coup,” asserting that the country has been taken hostage.

Senegal’s actions have not gone unnoticed by regional bodies, with the West African bloc ECOWAS encouraging the country to urgently restore the electoral timetable. The government’s decision to cut mobile internet access in the capital, Dakar, further raised concerns about freedom of expression and assembly, prompting calls from the EU and the US for respect of these fundamental rights.

Senegal’s typically stable political landscape has witnessed sporadic protests, met with tear gas by security forces. Social media restrictions, reminiscent of a similar move in June, aim to curb mobilization and communication, but opposition figures have continued to advocate for democratic processes.

Opposition candidates remain resolute, intending to carry on campaigning despite challenges. The Constitutional Council’s rejection of Ousmane Sonko’s candidacy has heightened tensions, while the approval of Bassirou Diomaye Faye as a contender introduces a potential nightmare scenario for the presidential camp.

President Sall attributes the postponement to a dispute between the National Assembly and the Constitutional Council over candidate rejections and fears of unrest. However, the opposition suspects a larger plan to evade defeat or extend Sall’s term, despite his public statement ruling out another candidacy. As the crisis unfolds, Senegal finds itself at a crossroads, with international pressure mounting for the restoration of democratic norms.