By announcing on Saturday the postponement of the presidential election scheduled for February 25, the outgoing president reignited political tensions. Paris calls for the organization of the vote “as quickly as possible”.
The regional alliance of West African countries (ECOWAS) called on Sunday for dialogue to resolve the political crisis in Senegal.
On Saturday, outgoing President Macky Sall caused a real earthquake by announcing the postponement sine die of the presidential election scheduled for February 25. A first since 1963. Macky Sall’s mandate was to end on April 2.
To justify this cancellation of the vote, the current president mentioned a electoral dispute between parliament and judiciary.
Several major candidates, including Karim Wade, the son of the former president, were ruled out by the Constitutional Council. The deputies also voted for the opening of a parliamentary investigation.
Several personalities from the opposition quickly rejected the president’s decision. At least two of the 20 presidential candidates having declared that they would continue their campaign which was to begin this Sunday.
For ECOWAS, the Senegalese political class must “prioritize dialogue and collaboration for transparent, inclusive and credible elections“ calling on the authorities to “accelerate the various processes aimed at setting a new date for the elections”. Washington also called for free and fair elections and demands the organization of a new vote “rapidly”.
Paris reacted this Sunday adding its voice to request the organization of the vote “as soon as possible”.
According to the Senegalese electoral code 80 days notice is required before an election, the new presidential vote could therefore not take place before the last week of April.
The announcement of the postponement of the elections was like an electric shock in a country where those under 30 represent 75% of the population. Many are massively demanding a radical change in policy and the departure of the government in power.
Some now fear excesses with the call to demonstrate against this “institutional coup” denounced by opponents.
Observers say this political crisis risks endangering one of Africa’s most stable democracies as the region has seen a wave of coups.
Tensions have risen in recent months in the country following deadly clashes involving opposition supporters.
