Senegal in crisis as protests mount against President Sall’s election delay
Senegal faces escalating turmoil as civil society and opposition groups intensify their pressure on President Macky Sall, who recently postponed the presidential election scheduled for February 25. The move has sparked violent clashes, leaving three dead and tarnishing Senegal’s reputation as a stable force in West Africa.
The “Aar Sunu Election” collective, comprising 40 civil, religious, and professional groups, has called for a rally in Dakar on Tuesday at 1500 GMT, raising concerns about potential confrontations between protesters and security forces.
International voices, including the United States and the European Union, have urged the Senegalese government to restore the original election timetable. Meanwhile, the organizers of Tuesday’s march await official confirmation on whether the rally will be permitted.
President Sall, in office since 2012, seeks a resolution amid the chaos. Reports suggest the possibility of a new dialogue with opposition figures, including Ousmane Sonko, known for his anti-establishment stance. Speculation surrounds the idea of amnesty for Sonko, his imprisoned second-in-command Bassirou Diomaye Faye, and those detained during previous unrest in 2021 and 2023.
Parliament’s backing of Sall’s election suspension until December 15, following the detention of opposition deputies, has drawn criticism, with the opposition labeling it a “constitutional coup.” This move allows Sall to remain in office until a successor is installed, potentially in 2025, triggering further mistrust within the opposition ranks.
Senegal’s universities join the fray, with a two-day strike protesting the death of a student during Friday’s unrest in Saint-Louis. Human Rights Watch reports at least 271 arrests, emphasizing the need to respect freedom of assembly and release political detainees.
Sall cites a dispute between parliament and the Constitutional Council over candidate eligibility and concerns about recurring unrest for the election postponement. He expresses a desire for “appeasement and reconciliation,” but skepticism looms over whether the opposition, particularly Sonko and Faye, will accept these gestures without their release and electoral participation.
As tensions persist, ex-presidents Abdou Diouf and Abdoulaye Wade call on President Sall to promptly initiate the national dialogue he announced, urging an end to violence among the youth. The uncertain path forward raises questions about the effectiveness of dialogue and amnesty proposals in quelling the deepening crisis in Senegal.