Senegal’s Parliament Votes to Delay Presidential Election Amidst Chaotic Protests
In a dramatic turn of events, Senegal’s parliament has voted to delay the presidential election to December 15. The decision came after opposition lawmakers were forcibly removed from the chamber during a heated debate over President Macky Sall’s earlier decision to postpone the crucial election. The announcement of the delay has plunged the West African nation into uncharted constitutional waters and sparked violent protests.
President Sall initially announced on Saturday that the election, originally scheduled for February 25, would be postponed. This move has raised concerns among protesters who are skeptical of Sall’s claim that he has no plans to extend his term. The president, who has already served the maximum two terms, was originally due to leave office on April 2.
The bill to delay the election until December received parliamentary backing late on Monday, with 105 out of 165 MPs voting in favor of the measure. This decision effectively keeps President Sall in office until his successor is installed. However, the move to further delay the poll is likely to fuel more unrest and risk undermining the country’s stability.
As lawmakers debated the bill on Monday, security forces fired tear gas at protesters who had gathered outside the parliament building in Dakar. Demonstrators burned tires and criticized Sall’s decision. One protester, Malick Diouf, emphasized the importance of voicing opposition to what he called a “political agenda” aimed at prolonging Sall’s stay in power.
The atmosphere inside the parliament was equally tense, with deputies shoving and pushing one another, leading to a temporary recess. Security forces later stormed the building and forcibly removed several opposition lawmakers who had occupied the central dais in an attempt to block the voting process. This display of force further fueled accusations of undemocratic behavior.
The decision to postpone the election faced strong pushback from opposition leaders and presidential candidates. At least three candidates submitted legal challenges to the delay, while two others pledged to challenge it through the courts. The crisis has also prompted concerns about the erosion of Senegal’s democratic credentials, with Human Rights Watch warning that the country is at risk of losing its reputation as a beacon of democracy in the region.
The postponement has also had wider implications, with authorities temporarily restricting mobile internet access and revoking the license of a private television channel. These actions have drawn criticism from both domestic and international observers, who argue that they undermine freedom of speech, expression, and assembly.
President Sall cited a dispute over the candidate list and alleged corruption within the constitutional body responsible for handling the list as reasons for the election delay. The opposition Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS), whose candidate was barred from running due to dual nationality issues, supports the delay and proposed the postponement bill in parliament even before Sall’s announcement. However, other opposition and civil society groups have vehemently rejected the decision, accusing Sall of attempting to postpone his departure and labeling it an “institutional coup.”
The situation in Senegal remains tense, with fears of a repeat of violent unrest that occurred in previous years. In March 2021 and June 2023, protests resulted in dozens of deaths and hundreds of arrests. The chairman of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, has called for a resolution to the political dispute through dialogue and understanding.
As Senegal grapples with the ramifications of the delayed election, it is crucial for authorities to address concerns about democratic principles, respect for human rights, and the restoration of internet access. The country’s future stability and reputation as a democratic stronghold in the region hang in the balance.
