The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on the Senegalese authorities “to use proportionate force” on Tuesday, February 13, after the death of at least three young men in recent days during demonstrations against the postponement of the presidential election .
“France reiterates its call to the authorities to organize the presidential election as quickly as possible, in accordance with the Constitution of Senegal, and to guarantee public freedoms,” reacted in a press release Christophe Lemoine, deputy spokesperson for the Quai d’ Orsay, while arrests have multiplied throughout the country, including of journalists. “France encourages all Senegalese actors to favor the path of dialogue and to preserve Senegal’s long democratic tradition,” also declared Christophe Lemoine.
Senegal is in the grip of one of its most serious political crises in recent decades since President Macky Sall announced the postponement of the presidential election on February 3, three weeks before the deadline. His supporters in the National Assembly and those of Karim Wade, a disqualified candidate, then endorsed the postponement of the election to December 15 and the maintenance of President Sall in his post until his successor takes office – a priori , therefore, at the beginning of 2025.
Senegalese authorities have banned a major march planned by civil society on Tuesday in Dakar.