TENSIONS reached a boiling point in Senegal as clashes erupted between protesters and security forces, resulting in the tragic death of a student, marking the first casualty in the ongoing demonstrations fuelled by the postponement of the presidential election.
Senegalese security forces deployed tear gas to disperse demonstrators in the capital city on Friday, thwarting a planned rally at Place de la Nation in central Dakar. Anti-riot police cordoned off the area as some protesters resorted to violence, hurling stones and setting tires ablaze, further escalating the situation witnessed by journalists from AFP news agency.
‘The situation is deplorable. We came to pray, and we got gassed. It’s intolerable,’ lamented Thierno Alassane Sall, one of the presidential candidates slated to compete in the now-delayed election.
Clashes extended beyond the capital, with market traders forced to shutter businesses amidst unrest. Reports on social media indicated demonstrations unfolding in other towns, including a protest dispersed by police in Nioro du Rip, located 250 kilometres east of Dakar.
The protests erupted following President Macky Sall’s decision to postpone the presidential election, originally scheduled for February 25, by a staggering 10 months. The move, endorsed by parliament amidst a chaotic session that saw opposition deputies forcibly removed by security forces, sparked outrage domestically and internationally.
The crisis has raised concerns about Senegal’s democratic stability, a pillar in a region frequently plagued by military coups. Calls from the European Union and the United States urging the government to adhere to the initial election timetable have underscored the gravity of the situation.
Education unions within the civil society platform Aar Sunu Election [Let’s Protect Our Election] mobilised teachers to walk out in protest, with students at Blaise Diagne High School in Dakar joining the cause.
At Masjidounnour mosque in Dakar, despite calls to dress in white and national colours, only a few worshippers heeded the call, reflecting a sentiment of discontent among citizens.
Imam Ahmed Dame Ndiaye addressed the political turmoil in his sermon, emphasising the importance of holding leaders accountable and preserving societal integrity.
The decision by MPs to delay the presidential election has been met with condemnation from the opposition, labelling it a ‘constitutional coup.’ Fourteen opposition candidates have filed an appeal with the Supreme Court, challenging the move.
President Sall, however, remains steadfast in his decision, although analysts suggest mounting pressure from civil society and the international community could force a re-evaluation.
As tensions continue to simmer, Senegal braces for a prolonged period of uncertainty, with the fate of its democratic institutions hanging in the balance.
(with agencies)