In a move to quell potential unrest, Senegal’s Communications Ministry instructed mobile operators to halt internet services on Tuesday, setting the stage for a controversial silent march organized by activist groups.
The march, initially planned in response to the abrupt postponement of the presidential election, was prohibited by authorities.
The decision to postpone the election, just weeks before the scheduled February 25 vote, ignited violent clashes last week, resulting in the tragic deaths of three individuals and numerous arrests. Parliament’s subsequent vote to reschedule the election for December 15 heightened concerns among opposition members, extending President Macky Sall’s mandate in an unprecedented departure from Senegal’s democratic norms.
The uncertainty surrounding the fate of the march persisted after authorities banned it on Monday, citing logistical challenges. However, civil society and religious groups, the organizers of the demonstration, are set to address the media later on Tuesday to outline their next course of action, according to spokesman Amadou Samb.
The postponement of the election has disillusioned many in Senegal, renowned for its stability within West Africa’s political landscape. This deviation from democratic norms stands in stark contrast to neighboring countries plagued by military coups and constitutional manipulations.
In response to the recent demonstrations, the Communications Ministry attributed the violence and destruction to inflammatory online content.
Meanwhile, in the capital Dakar, clashes between protesters and police escalated last Friday, with law enforcement deploying tear gas, stun grenades, and apparent rubber bullets against demonstrators burning tires and hurling stones.
International human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and the UN human rights office, have urged the Senegalese government to investigate the killings and allegations of police brutality. According to Liz Throssell, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, at least 266 individuals, including journalists, have been detained nationwide.
As tensions mount, West Africa’s regional bloc Ecowas dispatched a parliamentary diplomatic mission to Senegal on Monday to address the unfolding political crisis.
