Senegalese civil society groups joined forces on Thursday, rallying for widespread mobilization against the postponement of this month’s presidential election. They’ve detailed a range of planned initiatives, notably including protests and strikes.
The normal stable West African nation has been thrown into its most severe political crisis in decades following the endorsement by lawmakers of President Macky Sall’s move to postpone the February 25 election until mid-December.
“We invite all citizens concerned by the preservation of democratic gains to mobilise en masse throughout the country and in the diaspora to prevent this seizure of power,” the newly formed platform Aar Sunu Election (Let’s protect our election) said in a statement.
The collective comprises around 40 citizen, religious, and professional organizations, among them several education unions.
Malick Diop, one of the platform’s coordinators, informed journalists in Dakar that “a significant demonstration is scheduled for Tuesday.
The Speakers at the event also highlighted a call for a general strike on an unspecified date and a planned walkout in the education sector starting from Friday.
The platform urged Muslims to attend Friday prayers wearing white attire and displaying the national colors.
The call aligns with emergency talks among West African foreign ministers in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, to address the political crisis in Senegal.”
The call coincides with emergency talks among West African foreign ministers in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, to address the political crisis in Senegal. Ahead of Thursday’s meeting, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has urged Senegal one of its most stable member states to return to its election timetable. However, critics have already questioned the group’s influence over increasingly defiant member states.