Internet shutdown in Senegal amid protests after President Macky Sall postpones election

There is chaos amid protests in Senegal after President Macky Sall announced the postponement of the country’s presidential election.

Senegalese were due to go to the polls on February 25, 2024, but Sall has signed a decree – citing a dispute between the judiciary and parliament over the disqualification of some candidates and the reported dual nationality of some qualified candidates.  

The country’s federal lawmakers were today deliberating on a bill to extend President Macky Sall’s tenure – for up to six months.

If the bill is approved, the legislation would set the next likely election date in August, four months after Sall’s presidency is due to end.

Chaos!

Citizens in the country have kicked against the move. Hundreds of them took to the streets on Sunday, January 4^th, and this Monday.

Outside the legislature, security forces fired tear gas to disperse opposition supporters who had assembled to protest the bill.

Protesters also burned tires and blocked access roads in Dakar, Senegal’s capital. Several other people were arrested.

Opposition leaders have condemned the decision by the president to extend his tenure – describing it as a “coup.”

One of them is Malick Gackou. A Constitutional Council document showed today, that the presidential candidate has filed a formal legal request against the postponement of the Feb. 25 election.

Condemnations!

The African Union (AU) has also stepped in – urging Sall to respect the demands of the people.

The AU urged Sall’s government to organise the election “as soon as possible” and called on everyone involved “to resolve any political dispute through consultation, understanding, and civilised dialogue.”

Analysts say the crisis in Senegal could further threaten West Africa’s stability at a time when the region is struggling with a recent surge in coups and threats to democratic institutions.

Blackout!

On Monday, Senegal’s government restricted mobile internet access.

The Ministry of Communication, Telecommunications, and Digital Economy said mobile internet services were cut Monday “due to the dissemination of several hateful and subversive messages relayed on social networks in the context of threats and disturbances to public order.”

But this is not the first of its kind in the country.

Political tensions have run high in Senegal for at least a year. Authorities also cut internet access from cellphones in June 2023 when supporters of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko clashed with security forces.

Sonko is one of two opposition leaders whom election authorities disqualified from the final list of presidential candidates this month.

In 2023, Sall announced that he would not seek a third term in office. But it seems, he is suddenly making a u-turn on that promise.

None of Senegal’s presidential elections have been postponed before.

Mimi Mefo Info