Senegal Election Protests Leave Three Dead

As of today, Monday 12 February, three people have reportedly died in Senegal amid protests over the postponement of the presidential election.

The ongoing clashes between security forces and protestors have marred the past week as civilians voice their frustrations at President Macky Sall’s decision to postpone this month’s presidential election until December.

Sall has justified the move by saying the country needs time to resolve the dispute over the eligibility of its candidates. However, many are less than impressed with this reasoning and see it as a move to be able to stay in power for longer.

“We are exhausted, we are upset and deeply disappointed. What is wrong with our country? What is wrong with that man?” Aminata Issete, a concerned citizen, told an international publication today.

“Why this disrespect towards Senegal’s own citizens? We don’t deserve this. We want to vote for a new president,” she added.

The 62-year-old’s presidential mandate will expire on 2 April, after which opposition leaders have said that they will refuse to recognise Sall as leader of the country. One of the opposition candidates has stated that they will establish “a parallel government of national unity” if Sall has not stepped down by then.

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