Highlights: Senegal: the march against the postponement of the presidential election postponed, following its ban. While a large march was planned by civil society for February 12 in Dakar, the prefect of the capital banned it. While the latest attempts to gather ended in failure, they were immediately dispersed by the police with tear gas, even leaving three people dead by gunfire since Friday February 9. The UN “ deeply concerned ” Officially the prefecture banned the demonstration because it risked disrupting traffic. But, at the same time, according to several sources, discussions are underway between the authorities and certain political actors.

Senegal: the march against the postponement of the presidential election postponed, following its ban

In Senegal, more than a week after the decision to postpone the presidential election from February 25 to December 15, 2024, the standoff between the authorities and opponents of this postponement continues. While a large march was planned by civil society for February 12 in Dakar, the prefect of the capital banned it, pushing the organizers to postpone this demonstration against the last minute postponement of the vote and the extension of the leader's mandate of State.

[Illustrative image] A woman walking in a street in the popular Yoff neighborhood in Dakar, February 11, 2024. AFP - JOHN WESSELS

By: RFI Follow

With our correspondent in Dakar,

Léa-Lisa Westerhoff

Senegal

, until late at night, the organizers, around fifty civil society organizations, said they tried to obtain an agreement from the prefect around a new route. Without success. This Tuesday morning again, one of the members of this platform must meet the prefecture to try to validate a new route.

In the meantime, this march against the postponement of the presidential election has been postponed. A new date and a new itinerary must be proposed during the day. “

We want to remain legal and avoid any violence

,” insist the organizers. While the latest attempts to gather ended in failure, they were immediately dispersed by the police with tear gas, even leaving three people dead by gunfire since Friday February 9.

The UN “

deeply concerned
”

Officially, the prefecture banned the demonstration because it risked disrupting traffic, says an official letter published on social networks. But, at the same time, according to several sources, discussions are underway between the authorities and certain political actors around possible calming measures. A timing which could explain this ban and the decision to postpone the march.

Internet on cell phones has been suspended since Tuesday morning. While, for their part, the United Nations is calling for investigations.

Read alsoSenegal: the two former presidents Abdou Diouf and Abdoulaye Wade call for appeasement

Senegal: the march against the postponement of the presidential election postponed, following its ban

Senegal: the march against the postponement of the presidential election postponed, following its ban

The UN “

deeply concerned
”

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