Senegal is grappling with the aftermath of violent protests that claimed the lives of at least two individuals. Security forces swiftly dispersed demonstrators who attempted to assemble across the nation.
The confirmed fatalities, both young men in their twenties, tragically met their demise in Saint-Louis and Dakar, as detailed in official reports.
In Saint-Louis, a student lost his life on a school campus amidst protests that engulfed the northern city, as disclosed by the public prosecutor’s office.
Tensions escalated following President Sall’s decision to postpone the upcoming presidential elections, originally slated for this month. The eleventh-hour delay, announced just before the commencement of official campaigning, sparked widespread discontent.
Parliament sanctioned the postponement until December, concurrently extending Sall’s tenure until his successor assumes office, a transition unlikely to occur before early 2025. Sall’s second term was set to conclude on April 2nd.
Citing a standoff between parliament and the Constitutional Council regarding disqualified candidates, the president defended the postponement, emphasising the necessity for a prompt resolution to ensure a peaceful electoral process.
Opposition lawmakers have lodged appeals with the Constitutional Court, while presidential contenders have sought recourse from the Supreme Court.
Amidst this turmoil, another wave of protests is slated for Tuesday, February 13th.
In a display of solidarity, Senegalese diaspora communities, notably in France, have mobilised in major cities such as Paris, Bordeaux, and Nice, echoing the calls for justice and electoral transparency from afar.