Senegal banned a protest march deliberate for Tuesday after the presidential ballot was postponed to December and President Macky Sall’s time period prolonged.
Elymane Haby Kane, one of many organizers of the march, advised Agence France-Presse (AFP) he had obtained an official letter from native authorities within the capital Dakar that the march was banned because it might significantly hamper site visitors.
The United States and European Union have known as on the federal government to revive the unique election timetable. Deadly protests pitting youths in opposition to safety forces have threatened Senegal’s fame as a haven of stability in West Africa.
Parliament backed Sall’s suspension of the election till December 15, however solely after safety forces stormed parliament and detained some opposition deputies.
The vote paved the best way for Sall — whose second time period was resulting from expire in April – to stay in workplace till his successor is put in, most likely in 2025.
Senegal’s opposition has decried the transfer as a “constitutional coup” and suspects it’s a part of a plan by the presidential camp to increase Sall’s time period in workplace, regardless of him reiterating that he wouldn’t stand once more.
UN considerations
The UN voiced concern Tuesday over the election delay and urged swift probes into not less than three deaths throughout protests.
“We are deeply concerned about the tense situation in Senegal,” Liz Throssell, spokeswoman for the United Nations rights workplace, advised reporters in Geneva.
“Following reports of unnecessary and disproportionate use of force against protesters and restrictions on civic space, we call on the authorities to ensure that they uphold Senegal’s long-held tradition of democracy and respect for human rights,” Throssell mentioned.
She mentioned not less than three younger males have been killed and 266 folks, together with journalists, reportedly arrested throughout the nation.
“Investigations into the killings must be prompt, thorough, and independently conducted, and those found responsible must be held to account,” Throssell mentioned.
“The authorities should also ensure due process for individuals arrested during the protests.”
Throssell mentioned the federal government should “unequivocally order the security forces to respect and ensure human rights, including the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly”.
She additionally voiced concern that cell web entry in Senegal was on Tuesday suspended for the second time this month, after authorities banned a deliberate march in opposition to the election delay.
“It is really important to guarantee the right to access to information,” Throssell mentioned, insisting that any restrictions have to be “strictly limited to what’s necessary and (be) as limited as possible in time.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com