Senegal: the standoff continues after the repression of demonstrations
In Senegal, the standoff after the postponement of the presidential election continues. Demonstrations were dispersed by the police on Friday February 9 in several cities. At least two people have died.
Demonstrators protest in Dakar against the postponement of the presidential election from February 25 to February 9, 2024. AFP - GUY PETERSON
By: RFI Follow
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With our special correspondent in Dakar,
Charlotte Idrac
A second death was announced this Saturday morning in Dakar,
after that of Alpha Yero Tounkara
, a geography student at Gaston Berger University in Saint-Louis. According to a university official, the latter died “
as a result of injuries sustained during the demonstrations
”. The prosecution has opened an investigation to determine the exact circumstances of his death. In a press release this Saturday, February 10, the Ministry of the Interior affirmed that “
the defense and security forces did not intervene on the campus where the death occurred.
» Student representatives from Saint-Louis indicated the resumption of mobilization at the UGB “
so that justice is done
” and that “
democracy is respected
”.
The second victim is Modou Gueye, originally from Pikine, in the suburbs of the capital. According to a member of his family contacted by telephone, he was shot on Friday in the Colobane district. “
He did not participate in the demonstrations, but had come to make purchases
,” said his brother-in-law. The authorities have not yet communicated.
Contacted this Saturday morning, the Red Cross indicated that it was compiling data from its committees in the different regions to take stock of Friday's clashes. Several journalists' associations denounce targeted violence by the police against sisters and brothers who came to the field to cover the events.
Macky Sall defends his decision
On a legal level, fourteen presidential candidates filed an appeal before the Supreme Court to request the annulment of the decree taken by President Macky Sall to postpone the vote. At the same time, deputies petitioned the Constitutional Council this week against
the law passed on February 5 in the Assembly and which postpones the election to December 15
. But in an interview given to the American press agency AP and published this Saturday morning, President Macky Sall defends his decision to postpone the election. He claims “
to be completely ready to hand over the baton
”, but does not say whether or not he would accept the decision of the Constitutional Council if it rejected the postponement. “
It is too early to consider this prospect. When the decision is made, I will be able to say what I will do
,” he explains.
On the international level, the United States, via its embassy in Dakar, once again called on Friday for the “
reestablishment of the electoral calendar
”. The European Union, for its part, called on the authorities to “
organize the election as quickly as possible
”.
The Citizen Collective “Aar Sunu Election” (“Let’s protect our election”, in Wolof) which brings together civil society movements, religious organizations and unions, has already planned a mobilization for Tuesday February 13. In the meantime, mobilization continues abroad. This is the case in France where diaspora gatherings are being organized this Saturday, February 10 in Paris, Bordeaux, Grenoble, Rennes and even Nice. The call was relayed on the social networks of the France branch of Pastef, the opposition party dissolved in July 2023.
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