Highlights: Opposition activists and ordinary citizens tried to gather near the Saint-Lazare roundabout, on one of the central arteries of Dakar. Systematically, the gendarmes, deployed by the dozens, dispersed the small groups with tear gas. Tires were burned and each time, the groups separated. The signal is clear: no gatherings are tolerated. The opposition says it is currently considering how to mobilize in the coming days. “Here, he doesn't even let us express ourselves. We want to be able to vote and choose our president.”

In response to the announcement of the indefinite postponement of the presidential election on February 25 by President Macky Sall, several opposition candidates called for a rally this Sunday, February 4 to…

Postponement of the presidential election in Senegal: the opposition prevented from gathering

In response to the announcement of the

indefinite postponement

of the presidential election on February 25 by President Macky Sall, several opposition candidates called for a rally this Sunday, February 4 to start the electoral campaign. Without success.

The demonstrators were systematically dispersed by the police using tear gas. Dakar, February 4, 2024. AP - Stefan Kleinowitz

By: RFI Follow

With our correspondent in Dakar,

Léa-Lisa Westerhoff

All afternoon, opposition activists and ordinary citizens tried to gather near the Saint-Lazare roundabout, on one of the central arteries of Dakar, after the

announcement of the

indefinite
postponement of the presidential election

. In vain. Systematically, the gendarmes, deployed by the dozens, dispersed the small groups with tear gas. As the hours passed, tension rose and stone throwing responded to the tear gas. Tires were burned and each time, the groups separated. This Sunday evening, the neighborhood was cordoned off by the police, the curtains of the shops were drawn and at regular intervals the shots of tear gas rang out.

Opposition candidates and leaders failed to reach the rally venue. Some were stuck at their party headquarters, others in their cars. Former Prime Minister Aminata Touré announced that she was taken away by the gendarmes as soon as she got out of her vehicle. Ditto for candidate Anta Babacar Ngom, arrested because she refused to leave the assembly point. Candidate Serigne Mboup reports the arrest of four members of his communications team.

The signal is clear: no gatherings are tolerated. The same is true in other cities in the country, such as Thiès, Mbour and Louga. The opposition says it is currently considering how to mobilize in the coming days. “

It’s totally unfair

,” says a protester. “

Here, he doesn't even let us express ourselves. We are tired,

protests a woman.

We want to be able to vote and choose our president.

It is the Constitution which sets the electoral deadlines and the mandate of the president. He cannot get up one morning and, under false pretexts, want to interrupt the electoral process.

01:22

Rally against the postponement of the presidential election: words of demonstrators

Léa-Lisa Westerhoff

After the postponement of the election initially scheduled for February 25, unprecedented in the history of Senegal, the international community is pressing the Senegalese authorities to set a new date. The European Union considers that this

sine die

postponement opens a "

period of uncertainty

". Brussels calls on all stakeholders to work, in a peaceful climate, "

to hold a transparent, inclusive and credible election, as soon as possible and while respecting the rule of law

. The United States, for its part, said it was deeply concerned by this situation and called for a new date to be announced quickly.

Postponement of the presidential election in Senegal: the opposition prevented from gathering

Postponement of the presidential election in Senegal: the opposition prevented from gathering

You may like

Trends 24h

Latest