Violent Protests Erupt in Senegal as President Macky Sall Delays Presidential Election
Senegal, known as one of West Africa’s most stable democracies, is facing a severe political crisis as violent protests erupt following President Macky Sall’s decision to delay the country’s presidential election. The move, which came just three weeks before the scheduled vote, has put Senegal’s democratic credentials to the test at a time when the region is experiencing democratic backsliding and a surge in military coups.
Parliament voted on Monday to postpone the election until December 15, effectively extending President Sall’s 12-year tenure, which was supposed to end on April 2. The bill was passed with overwhelming support, except for one vote against, after several opposition lawmakers were forcibly removed from the chamber. The decision has sparked fierce protests in Senegal, a nation seen as a democratic stronghold in a volatile region plagued by military coups.
President Sall’s abrupt decision to delay the election just hours before campaigning was set to begin has further intensified the already tense political climate. Critics accuse him of cracking down on opponents and attempting to hold onto power. In a televised address, President Sall cited a dispute between the parliament and the country’s Constitutional Council over the disqualification of some candidates as the reason for the postponement. However, his opponents believe that the move is part of a larger plan to extend his term or influence his chosen successor, Prime Minister Amadou Ba.
The opposition has strongly condemned the delay, with opposition figure Khalifa Sall denouncing it as a “constitutional coup.” Two opposition parties have filed a court petition challenging the election delay. The president’s announcement also led to the immediate resignation of cabinet minister Abdou Latif Coulibaly, who expressed his dismay at Sall’s actions. Senegal’s democratic credentials now hang in the balance, as political analyst Gilles Yabi warns of a constitutional crisis brewing.
The political crisis in Senegal has raised concerns about the potential for violent unrest, similar to what occurred in 2021 and 2023, resulting in numerous deaths and arrests. The unrest was triggered by the arrest and sentencing of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko in a rape case his supporters claim was politically motivated. Sonko and other prominent opponents have accused the government of manipulating the justice system and drifting towards authoritarianism.
In the lead-up to the previous presidential election in 2019, opposition figures Khalifa Sall and Karim Wade were prevented from challenging President Sall due to legal issues. Sonko has also been barred from the forthcoming vote, although his back-up candidate Bassirou Faye is on the ballot. Speculation that President Sall might seek a third term, despite a constitutional two-term limit, further fueled unrest until he announced in July that he would not stand again.
President Sall, who had previously led the challenge against his predecessor Abdoulaye Wade’s bid for a third term, finds himself accused of clinging to power. Senegal’s fifth president since independence, Sall has implemented sweeping reforms and launched major infrastructure projects during his two terms. He has positioned himself as a respected and influential player on the international stage, championing constitutional order in a region plagued by military coups.
Senegal’s international allies have expressed concern over the current crisis but have refrained from condemning President Sall’s decision. The United States State Department stated that it is closely monitoring the situation and urged all participants in Senegal’s political process to engage peacefully in holding free, fair, and timely elections. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), of which Senegal is a key member, also expressed its concern and called for the urgent restoration of the electoral timetable.
Human Rights Watch has warned that Senegal’s status as a beacon of democracy in the region is now at risk. The advocacy group has called on authorities to prevent violence, rein in abusive security forces, and respect freedom of speech, expression, and assembly. Despite these concerns, analysts believe that a military takeover, similar to those witnessed in other West African countries, is unlikely in Senegal. The nation has never experienced a coup since gaining independence from France in 1960 and is considered a consolidated democracy.
Senegal’s political crisis serves as a reminder of the fragility of democracy in the region. As one of the few democratic strongholds left standing, Senegal’s ability to navigate this crisis and uphold its democratic principles will be closely watched by its international allies.
