Senegal’s authorities ban planned large demonstration against election postponement

In Senegal, the protests have not stopped following the election postponement – so far three people have died. The authorities continue to take action against the opposition: They imposed a ban on demonstrations and cut off the mobile internet.

Senegal has been rocked by protests against head of state Macky Sall for days. He had ordered that the presidential election, originally planned for February 25th, be postponed to mid-December. Now the state is putting a stop to further demonstrations.

The authorities had the mobile internet switched off today. The reason given by the Ministry of Communications was “hateful and subversive messages that have already provoked violent demonstrations with deaths and significant property damage.”

A march through the capital Dakar, which the opposition had announced for today, was banned by the authorities citing obstruction of traffic. Dozens of organizations such as trade unions and representatives of civil society and the church supported the action.

Human Rights Watch calls for investigation

People in Senegal had already demonstrated on Friday and Saturday. The security forces took massive action against the protesters. Human Rights Watch reported that at least three protesters were killed in the operations, including a 16-year-old. The number of injured was put at 60.

At least 271 people were arrested. Journalists were also attacked at work. The human rights organization called for an independent investigation. United Nations officials expressed “deep concern.”

“Following reports of unnecessary and disproportionate use of force against demonstrators and restrictions on public spaces, we call on the authorities to ensure they uphold Senegal’s long tradition of democracy and respect for human rights,” said the office of the UN High Commissioner for Senegal Human rights in Geneva. The EU and other states had previously called on Senegal to respect civil rights.

Is President Sall planning a constitutional coup?

Since its independence in 1960, Senegal has been considered a stable, multi-party democracy in West Africa, where democracy is increasingly threatened by coups and autocratic presidents. The state with almost 18 million inhabitants is the only one of its neighbors that has not experienced a revolution or civil war.

The current crisis is the worst in decades. The parliament in Dakar voted on Monday last week to postpone the presidential election originally scheduled for February 25th until mid-December.

However, Parliament only agreed to the postponement after police stormed the parliament building and removed several opposition MPs who were against the postponement. Critics speak of an “institutional coup” and accuse President Sall of wanting to stay in office longer. The postponement of the election also caused concern among the EU, USA, African Union and the West African community of states Ecowas.