Senegal, typically seen because the bastion of stability in Africa, has been hit by civil unrest after lawmakers voted late Monday to delay this month’s presidential election till December.
The invoice was handed close to unanimously, with 105 votes in favor and one towards, after opposition deputies have been forcibly faraway from the chamber.
It paves the way in which for President Macky Sall to stay in workplace till his successor is put in, regardless of rising concern concerning the erosion of democracy.
“The situation is completely catastrophic, Senegal’s image is ruined, and I don’t think we’ll be recovering from this democratic bankruptcy, this tsunami in the rule of law, any time soon,” opposition deputy Ayib Daffe mentioned after the vote.
Earlier, safety forces outdoors used tear fuel to disperse small teams of opposition protesters, with demonstrators chanting “Macky Sall dictator.”
The ambiance in Senegal has been tense since Saturday when Sall introduced a delay to the Feb. 25 vote, simply hours earlier than campaigning was formally set to start.
“Let’s not be an assembly of shame. Let’s make sure that when we leave here we can look at our children with pride and say that we were the last wall, the last bulwark,” mentioned opposition MP Abass Fall through the debate over the postponement.
Adopted a day earlier by a preparatory committee, the proposal for the election delay was supported by MPs from Sall’s social gathering, which has been unable to totally coalesce across the president’s favored successor.
“President Macky Sall said he would serve two terms. He has kept his word,” mentioned MP Moussa Diakhate, chairman of the pro-government regulation committee.
Violence has beforehand damaged out in Senegal over fears Sall would attempt to prolong his tenure past the top of his second time period, and he has beforehand insisted he wouldn’t.
‘Constitutional coup’
The sporadic clashes outdoors parliament have been a uncommon sight within the usually calm space of downtown Dakar, the place police and safety forces backed up by heavy automobiles, have been mobilised to guard parliament.
Demonstrator Malick Diouf, 37, mentioned he had no most well-liked candidate and didn’t actually have a voting card, however felt it essential to return and protest.
“The main thing for me is to say ‘no’ to this political agenda, this coup de force to try to stay in power,” he advised AFP.
Opposition leaders had denounced the proposed delay as a “constitutional coup” and an assault on democracy.
Violent road protests rocked the capital Dakar on Sunday, and two opposition candidates, together with former prime minister Aminata Toure, have been arrested and later launched.
The authorities early on Monday suspended cell web entry, citing the dissemination of “hateful and subversive messages” on social media.
It was a repeat of a transfer final June, which noticed cell knowledge restricted amid excessive tensions within the nation.
The measure has change into a standard response to curb mobilization and communication through social networks.
Democracy in danger
Senegal has by no means skilled a coup since gaining independence from France in 1960, making it a uncommon outlier in coup-hit West Africa.
The proposed delay had sparked worldwide concern, with the United States, European Union and France all interesting for the election to be rescheduled as quickly as doable.
The chairman of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat additionally urged Senegal to resolve its “political dispute through consultation, understanding and dialogue.”
Human Rights Watch warned that Senegal risked shedding its democratic credentials.
“Senegal has long been considered a beacon of democracy in the region. This is now at risk,” it mentioned in a press release.
“Authorities need to act to prevent violence, rein in abusive security forces, and end their assault on opposition and media. They should respect freedom of speech, expression, and assembly, and restore internet, putting Senegal back on its democratic course.”
The disaster has led to fears of the type of violent unrest that broke out in March 2021 and June 2023, which resulted in dozens of deaths and tons of of arrests.
Tensions had soared over hypothesis that Sall was contemplating operating for a 3rd time period, till he ultimately confirmed final July that he wouldn’t stand once more.
Now the opposition suspects the postponement is a part of a plan by the presidential camp to keep away from defeat, and even to increase Sall’s time period in workplace, regardless of him saying he wouldn’t stand for re-election.
Sall has designated Prime Minister Amadou Ba as his would-be successor.
However, with the ruling social gathering cut up over his candidacy, he confronted doable defeat on the poll field.
Sall on Saturday mentioned that he delayed the vote due to a dispute between the National Assembly and the Constitutional Council over the rejection of candidates.
Source: www.dailysabah.com