Following President Macky Sall’s decision to postpone the presidential election to December 15, tensions have escalated in Senegal as opposition groups and civil society contest the legality of this move.
Activists from the Bassirou Diomaye Faye coalition, representing opposition candidate Ousmane Sonko, attempted to launch a campaign caravan in the Parcelles assainies district of suburban Dakar, reported our correspondent Théa Ollivier from Dakar.
However, upon arrival, they were met with obstruction, leading to the arrest of several individuals, including deputies Abass Fall and Guy Marius Sagna. Before his arrest, Sagna, confined to his vehicle, expressed his belief that “the postponement of the election was illegal, thus asserting that the electoral process should continue.”
Meanwhile, many presidential candidates convened throughout the morning to devise a “collective response.” They aim to devise new strategies involving diverse actions across the country, as law enforcement has consistently met attempts at gatherings with dispersal. Opposition leaders are prepared to expand their efforts, involving broader civil society and labor union participation. Cheikh Diop, a union leader, affirmed, “We are entering into a power struggle that does not exclude the possibility of a general strike,” highlighting ongoing efforts to foster collaboration among various stakeholders.
As Senegal navigates this period of political uncertainty, the voices of opposition and civil society echo calls for transparency and adherence to democratic principles, setting the stage for a potentially pivotal moment in the nation’s democratic trajectory.