Demonstrators took to the streets of Dakar in Senegal on Saturday to march against President Macky Sall’s election postponement.
The citizens, who trooped out in their thousands, carried signs written “Free Senegal” after parliament backed the decree two weeks ago.
According to presidential candidate Malick Gakou, who was part of the march, Today’s watchword is mobilisation”.
Gakou said there was “no room for error any longer”, adding that the elections must be held in March to ensure a handover between President Sall and a newly elected leader on April 2, when his second term comes to an end.
Some protesters, who included religious and civil groups, wore T-shirts tagged, “Protect our election” to oppose the postponement of the presidential election.
Mobile internet was suspended by the authorities last week, then later restored after the February 25 polls were postponed by President Sall indefinitely.
Communication Minister Moussa Bocar Thiam justified the measure, stating that it was necessary to curb the dissemination of “hateful and subversive messages circulating on social networks in a context of threats to public order.”
This move follows the shutting down of a private television channel by Senegalese citizens, who accused it of inciting violence through its coverage of the protests.
Parliament members voted to hold the election on December 15, which means a tenure extension for Sall.