Vantage | Why Senegal's reputation as West Africa's bastion of democracy is under threat

Senegal, once hailed as West Africa’s bastion of democracy, now finds itself at a crossroads as its democratic reputation faces severe challenges. The decision by President Macky Sall to postpone the upcoming presidential election, initially slated for 25 February but now pushed to December, has ignited widespread anger and unrest throughout the country.

A country in anger Protests erupted in the capital city of Dakar and other urban centers over the weekend with citizens expressing outrage at what they perceive as an assault on Senegal’s democratic principles. Scenes of clashes between protesters and law enforcement, with tear gas filling the air and stones being thrown, underscore the intensity of the public’s discontent. Central to the protests is the accusation that President Sall is undermining the country’s constitution by prolonging his stay in power. The postponement of the election has been met with accusations of a coup d’état with protesters condemning Sall as the first president to stage such an act within Senegal’s borders. “If we’re here, it’s because of President Macky Sall, who dared to touch our Constitution. People are saying Senegal is experiencing a coup d’Etat, it’s the first time it’s happened and it’s under President Macky Sall. He’s the first president to stage a coup d’état here at home,” said a protester Gora Fam. The chants of “Macky Sall is a dictator” reverberate through the streets, symboliaing the depth of frustration among the populace. Despite the government’s efforts to quell the unrest, the protests show no signs of abating, with demonstrators defiantly brandishing Senegal’s flag as a symbol of their resistance. International reaction The international community has taken notice of Senegal’s deteriorating political situation. The United Nations and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have both urged adherence to the country’s constitution and the restoration of the electoral calendar. However, a scheduled meeting between ECOWAS head Bola Tinubu and President Sall was abruptly cancelLed, indicating the complexity of the crisis. Senegal’s significance as a beacon of stability in the region amplifies the gravity of the situation. In a region plagued by coups and political instability, Senegal has long been viewed as an exception. However, Sall’s decision to delay the election has shattered this perception, sending shockwaves across West Africa. President Sall maintains that the postponement was necessary due to electoral issues, but critics argue that it is a thinly veiled attempt to cling to power. The barring of prominent opposition leaders, including Ousmane Sonko and Karim Wade, from participating in the election further fuels suspicions of electoral manipulation. “You are right that West Africa is currently in a extremely difficult time, it’s not a time that I should finish my term and reinvent myself in a new career as a dictator or non-democrat. That’s a picture they are painting, but it doesn’t correspond to my profile or my personality and that doesn’t correspond to reality,” said President Sall. Opposition unites The opposition, united in their condemnation of Sall’s actions, has taken legal action against the election delay. They have stripped away party affiliations in favour of a singular focus on defending Senegal’s democracy. With court decisions pending, the nation stands on the precipice, awaiting the outcome that will determine its political trajectory. “Those 12 and 13 of us (opposition presidential candidates), what we’ve decided is this: this is not about a political party. We decided to take away any colours from our parties. There’s only one colour. It’s Senegal. We have one goal now. It’s to make sure that President Macky Sall does not conduct his third mandate. And we go towards the election,” said Senegal presidential candidate Anta Babacar. The question remains: will President Sall abide by the court’s verdict? As Senegal teeters on the brink, its cherished democracy hangs in the balance. Whether it will endure as a shining example of democratic governance or succumb to the perils of authoritarianism remains to be seen. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views. Read all the Latest News , Trending News , Cricket News , Bollywood News , India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.