“Free Senegal,” “no to constitutional coup,” opposition supporters demonstrate in Dakar
Thousands of opposition supporters, on Saturday, demonstrated in Senegal’s capital, Dakar, calling for a presidential election to be conducted.
On the shirts of some of the demonstrators were inscriptions: “Respect for the electoral calendar,” “No to the constitutional coup d’état”, “Free Senegal,” as they matched in demand for a quick election.
Malick Gakou, one of the presidential candidates, said the election must be held in March so President Macky Sall can leave office on the expiration of his tenure in April.
“The watchword today is mobilisation,” Mr Gakou told AFP.
“The State of Senegal no longer has the right to make mistakes and it must organise the election in March so that the handover between President Sall and the new president can take place on April 2.”
Saturday’s demonstration comes as Mr Sall agreed to conduct the election “as soon as possible” after Senegal’s constitutional council declared his decree postponing the election unlawful.
The demonstration is aimed at pressuring Senegalese authorities to commit to a specific date for election, which Mr Sall never mentioned.
On February 3, Mr Sall, who assumed office in 2012 and is at the verge of leaving office on April 2, unanimously announced postponement of the Senegal election scheduled for February 25.
With internet access blocked and the military forcing opposition members out of the National Assembly, 105 Parliament members ratified Mr Sall’s election postponement, delaying election till December 15.
However, after prolonged protests that saw three killed and Senegal’s apex court judgement, Mr Sall was forced to change his decision.
The AU, ECOWAS, EU, France and the United States have all called for calm in Senegal, urging authorities to conduct the election.
While urging “all stakeholders to come together in the spirit of Senegal’s strong democratic tradition to support a free and fair election conducted in a peaceful and timely manner,” the United States said it “stands with the Senegalese people in their unwavering support for democracy.”
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